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Along Life’s Way
I’ve
Always Called Her “Mother”
By Lois E. Wilson
One day recently when my sons called me “Mom,” I realized it was not a
term I had ever called my mother. To me, she was always “Mother.”
Perhaps because I was an only child and did not have siblings to
introduce the word “mom” into our household, I did not use it. My
mother called my grandmother, “Mother Groff” and my babysitter, “Mother
Potts.”
I didn’t believe “mother” to be a more respectful term; it just wasn’t
in my vocabulary. If it were more respectful, my mother certainly
merited it as she was an excellent example of one. Born in 1904, she
was the third oldest of eleven children; she worked as a housekeeper to
earn money for college.
A distinguishing characteristic of hers was that she stood up for
herself and others. She had a good soprano voice, took lessons, and
sang in a church choir. At a rehearsal, the choir director flipped his
tie at the group and loudly exclaimed that the members weren’t good
enough to sing in a performing choir. She promptly auditioned for a
couple of local well-admired choirs and was accepted to sing in both of
them.
My mother was an advocate for teaching reading by the phonics method.
The “look-say whole language method” was in vogue. She stuck with
phonics, and she always developed excellent readers. Her success proved
it worked. She did not waver in her belief. She wrote phonics method
books that were published for teachers to use with their students. Some
recent studies have again recognized the value of phonics. Several
colleges used her classroom as a source for their students’ practice
teaching experiences.
She taught for over 30 years and for a while was president of the local
professional teachers’ organization.
After retirement, she was elected to two terms on the Dayton School
Board. She was part of the decision that established magnet schools
rather than use forced busing to create more diversity in the system.
The Board’s conservatives believed that all decisions should be based
on educational goals. Magnet schools are available for students to
choose.
My mother loved hats and had a closet full of them. She always taught
first grade in a dress and heels. She did not own a pair of slacks,
jeans, or shorts. Her modesty is a good example for today’s teachers
and students.
Her mottos could have been: “Wherever you are, be all there.” or “You
can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” All I can say is
“Mother, you sure proved them wrong on that one!”
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