Gladys Hoffpauir Robinette – Upper Elementary Education, August 1939

Gladys Hoffpauir Robinette

August, 1939 – Upper Elementary Education

Dear Dr. Dugas,

                My name is Gladys Hoffpauir Robinette. I received a B.A. degree in Upper Elementary Education from SLI in August 1939. I completed the program in two and one-half years by earning 21 semester hours credit per regular semester and 12 semester hours per summer session. In January, 1939, at age nineteen, I began teaching at Mier Elementary School in Acadia Parish, prior to receiving my degree. It was necessary to take three courses by correspondence that semester in order to complete degree requirements the following summer. Somehow I managed to earn the needed credits, to teach my class of fifty – two fifth graders to the best of my ability, and to receive seventy dollars a month for my efforts. I was so happy in teaching that if I could have lived without pay I would have taught for nothing.

                My fondest memories of attending Southwestern center on the excellent teachers who guided my studies. I was fortunate to have education methods courses with Maxim Doucet and Dr. J.B. Wooley. Both were outstanding educators. In student teaching, I was guided in the use of instructional methods by Miss Marguerite Steckler who was truly a master teacher and a wonderful friend.

                Teachers in other areas also made lasting impressions. I was fascinated with Miss Muriel McCulla who made English so interesting that I would forget to take notes. Maps and globes took on new meaning in Miss Minnie Kelley’s classes. Mr. Chatterton’s enthusiasm for geology was contagious. After having a class with him, one could never again look at a rock and feel that it was “only a rock”. I know that my life was enriched by learning to appreciate art by Miss Emily Huger, music by Mrs Ruth Girard, public speaking by Mr. Barry, and Physical Education by Mrs. Vesta Bourgeois.

                Social activities were important, too. Lasting friendships were made in Tri Sigma sorority, Kappa Delta Pi, and on “Chick” Barnett’s bus from Crowley. The football games were exciting occasions. Like the other girls on campus, I wore a hat, gloves, and high heeled shoes when I went to see the Bulldogs play in McNaspy Stadium. Glen Abel and Shorty Adkins were my heroes.

                I taught at Mier School from January 1939 to June 1942 and attended George Peabody College for Teachers each summer. I was  fortunate to have Dr. Maycie Southall as my major professor. On the day that I graduated from Peabody, Dean Doucet called and offered me a teaching position at F.M. Hamilton Laboratory School. I was so excited that it was hard to wait to receive my diploma for my Masters degree. I was returning to Southwestern!

                The period from 1942 to 1957 was a busy one. Beginning at age 22, I taught seventh grade at the laboratory school, supervised an average of four student teachers per semester, served as a Girl Scout leader, and as co-leader of 4 – H club along with Miss Ruth Martin. Conferences with student teachers were held after school and on Saturday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a number of years, I taught an Education Methods class from 7:30 to 8:30 MWF (1949 – 1956 ). The intervening summers were devoted to workshops for teachers. Dr. J.B. Wooley was then the Director of Student Teaching. With his superb organizational ability, he planned throughout the year with those of us who would serve as consultants. Through these workshops, many teachers were able to complete their degrees.

Prior to the workshops I worked for Western Union in Baton Rouge two summers, and worked on a doctoral program at Colorado State Teachers College for two consecutive summers. When my father died and my mother became ill, I dropped out of the program. My priorities changed. I tried to continue my professional growth through active participation in state and national professional organizations.

The new laboratory school was a leader in improving elementary education. Unlike most elementary schools in the 1940’s, Hamilton had a very complete centralized library with two certified librarians (Miss Olive Gehring and Miss Jane Ellen Carstens), a large cafeteria with a certified dietitian, and an attractive auditorium which included a stage and an orchestra pit. The school served children from Kindergarten through Grade Eight. A nursery school and an Industrial Arts shop were built near the main building. The remainder of the entire city block was a playground.

The morale of faculty was maintained at a high level. The children were proud of their school and a great school spirit developed. Much credit was due to the wise leadership of the principal, Mr. F.M. “Kit” Carson, who encouraged everyone to do his best. His child-centered philosophy permeated the school. I was extremely fortunate to be associated with this strong professional group for fifteen years. It was during this time that I had opportunities to meet Mr. Bud Ducharme, principal of Park Vista in Opelousas, who invited me to speak to his faculty and parents; Mr. John Bertrand, elementary teacher, who provided his class for me to teach a demonstration lesson at a Principals’ meeting in Acadia Parish; and a very young Mathematics professor, Dr. Ray Authement, who let me assist him in introducing and evaluating a new math program in the laboratory school. I was privileged to work with Dr. Robert May and Dr. Howard Turner when they were Directors of Student Teaching.

In 1957 Dr. Robert May, the first Dean of the Graduate School, invited me to become a member of the faculty in the College of Education. Having taught methods courses in summer school in 1956 and 1957, I knew that I would enjoy full – time college teaching. At the first faculty meeting Dr. Ollie Fuglaar, Dr. Walter Robinette, Dr. Leon Beasley, Dr. Dan Mumpower and I were introduced as new members. Dr. Mumpower handed me a letter of introduction from Dr. Maycie Southall of Peabody. I felt that I also needed such a letter.

In 1958, I made plans to attend the ASCD meeting in Seatle. Dean Doucet called to tell me that Dr. Robinette would be attending that meeting also. He recommended that I get in touch with Walter so that we could schedule our flights together. I thanked him but did not intend to do anything about it. When he gave Walter the same suggestion, Walter called me and we scheduled the same flight. The rest is history. Our marriage in 1960 became a 25 year courtship. Walter served as Director of Student Teaching from 1965 until we both retired in 1978. Walter had a bad heart condition. I had taught forty – three years.

I saw many changes take place in the College of Education. The division of elementary methods courses into Upper and Lower Elementary was discontinued. Many reading courses were added to insure that Johnny could read. The observation course was deleted. A well-organized program of Early Field Experiences was instituted. Student teachers were assigned to participating schools in Lafayette Parish and surrounding parishes. A course, Supervision of  Student Teaching, was offered at the graduate level to certify those interested in becoming supervising teachers. Hamilton Laboratory School was closed. The number of student teachers assigned to a supervising teacher was reduced. The length of time that student teachers spent in classrooms was increased.

Following Walter’s death in 1985, I continued working with SACS, served as consultant for a Title I program in Iberia Parish, participated in Louisiana Teachers Assessment Program, and tutored students in elementary, high school, and college subjects. I tried to stay busy.

As the student teaching program at USL continued to grow, so did the need for College Supervisors. Retired college teachers and supervisors were brought into the program. I am very grateful to Dr. Huey McCauley, Director of Student Teaching, for offering me an opportunity to join this group. It was exactly the therapy I needed from 1987 to 1998. I enjoyed it.

Long before I started school in 1925 I wanted to be a teacher. Since there were no televisions to watch nor computer games to play, we often played “school” at home. Being the youngest of a family of six girls, I was taught a lot, but never given a turn to be the teacher. I thank the University of Southwestern Louisiana for preparing me to teach and for giving me my turn.

Sincerely,

Gladys Robinette