The Class of ’64 grew up in an era when parents and teachers employed the board and the belt liberally. Classrooms were equipped with a paddle, a large flat piece of wood with a handle carved into one end, sometimes drilled with holes. To reduce air friction, we thought, or to raise blisters on the offender’s rear-end.
Out at Ethel School, we watched Mrs. Jimmie Taylor wrestle 4th grader Ralph Todd into a position across her lap. He was almost big enough to turn the tables. Ethel School closed and we were bussed into town to Brantley. Some of you may remember how Miss Sadie, as we were allowed to call Mrs. Buchanan, meted out punishment. She was too soft-hearted to whack a child herself, so she had the offender spank him or herself with a wooden ruler. I remember the day Mary Lynn Tims was called to the front of the class for talking. We were all surprised, as we believed no teacher was heartless enough to spank a child who used crutches. Mary Lynn raised her skirt and whacked her good leg three times and returned to her seat choking back tears. It was the shame that did the job.
I was not much of a rebel-rouser in elementary school, but adolescence brought out a rash of smart mouth. I challenged Mr. Parker in science class and mocked Miss Lanham in home ec, reducing that poor lady to tears. Junior High Principal Mrs. Farr took a dim view of such behavior and not only made me apologize but expelled me from Miss Lanham’s class. I wish I had gone back and apologized sincerely. I learned that Miss Lanham, whose property adjoined the school, deeded her house to the district, in the end giving her all to Antlers Schools.
Ethel School 1956