By Sharon E. Siegel
I was in the late Harriet Jaggie's elementary school class at East Main Street School. All of the teachers there were outstanding, and I wish the same early childhood years for every student as they start out on their educational journey, no matter where or when.
While working on college classes, I had the pleasure of connecting with Harriet once again. She lived in Arizona at that time, and I had been in touch off and on over the years. I focused on the "Dick & Jane" reading series as a way of teaching earliest reading skills as a paper I submitted in one of my college classes.
I loved the series, but apparently Harriet didn't feel the same way. I have to admit, I was disappointed to read her perspective on it but then realized that this is just another example of why she always comes to the forefront when I think of a great teacher. She brought the love of reading to each in her class, never hinting that she would have preferred a different way.
Here are Harriet's answers to the questions I asked her. Even then in her 90s, She never turned down a chance to teach and help, right to the end. She was glad to share her story with me and to allow for public sharing of this story.
East Main Street School was great, but it was the teachers (I can name them all) that made it great!
Interview Questions:
1) When did you start teaching and what schools did you teach in over your career?
2) What inspired you to become a teacher?
3) Where did you go to college?
4) What grade levels did you teach?
5) What subject area, grade level, and topics did you most enjoy teaching?
6) What special memories, do you have of any PJ schools?
7) Are there any fellow teachers you especially admired?
8) What do you most hope students carried with them after spending a school year with you?
9) What do you think was your biggest strength and impact on the students you taught?
10) What changes did you see in teaching during your career? Were most changes for the better?
11) What was most difficult about teaching in your era and in teaching in a neighborhood school like East Main Street School?
12) If you had it to do over again, would you still become a teacher and teach in Port Jervis?
13) If you were not a teacher, what other careers may you have considered?
14) Did any of your children or other family members teach?
15) What are some of the things you've done since retiring and how are things going for you now?
16) Is there anything else you could share that you think would benefit this story?
P.S.
Remembering Harriet Jaggie, with great respect and love!
