Corrine Zable has made a difference in many lives. She’ll always be “Miss Fredrickson” to those of us who had her as a teacher at Smith, our one room school, south of Westby. She grew up on a farm west of Viroqua and attended Vernon County Teacher’s College in Viroqua. I found out that another friend, Naomi (Flugstad) Bekkum, was one of her teachers there. Naomi also has fond memories of Corrine as a student and knew she would make a great teacher.
Corrine reads “Across the Fence” and I recently asked her for some of her recollections about teaching in rural schools. I hope her stories stir some memories in all of you who attended one-room schools.
Corrine said: “Valentine’s Day was a day when the mothers came to school in the afternoon! You kids helped me serve them coffee and a treat, so for once, they could just come and not have to bring something for a treat. Valentine’s Day meant ‘spring is nearly here!’ The hours of daylight were much longer and morning began earlier as well. It was a delightful time of year, for sure!! Kids made many of the Valentines they gave to each other. The smiles on some faces could tell which boy or girl was special to them, but no one was mean and nobody sent nasty valentines; nobody was left out.
“During my first year at Smith School, there were 29 students—some in every grade! You were a wonderful group of kids. I look back and smile and know you all gave me more than I gave you! I had taken a class for one credit at La Crosse—Folk dancing! All of you kids were such fun. As part of our music class, you kids cooperated without question and even seemed to enjoy learning how to dance; we must have had some music to dance by. That I've forgotten, but recall how you all were so cute doing the Virginia Reel!
“I recall when the three board members came to talk with me and asked what I would need that would help me in my work. I told them how much I could use an FM radio so we could tune in and learn from the programs given by the UW in Madison. They were so kind and helpful, as were ALL the parents in the community! Back then, people in charge went to the grass roots, listened, and learned from the people who knew what was needed.
“Mr. Sund, the County Supervisor, visited our school from time to time. He, too, was helpful. You kids did so many drawings, wrote poems, and did beautiful artwork for me to display. Each of you seemed pleased with one another’s good work. Mr. Sund noticed this too, but he said perhaps we put up too many things on the walls and bulletin boards! I wish I had saved some of the poems and writings you kids did! You also had fun adding more verses to songs such as Sweet Betsy from Pike.
“My mother used to say, ‘Get an education, because no one can take that away from you.’ One day while teaching at Smith School, an older fellow stopped by to see the school, and tell me that, years ago, he had taught school there. While chatting away, he told about the problem he had with one family. The kids were always missing school to work on the farm! ‘Finally,’ he said, ‘I went to their home and talked to their dad about the kids missing so much school.’ After listening to him the father said, ‘What do you think we had these kids for?’ I doubt that was ever a problem in later years, when most parents knew their children needed an education, as times changed.
“Children need to learn how to think. How right you are about finding a quiet place without noise. Maybe it’s the farm kids of some years ago, who cherish the quiet places? It’s the quiet places where our minds have a chance to hear what we’re thinking. This reminds me of a quote from Henry Ford that I liked to post in my classroom. He said, ‘Thinking is hard work. That's why so few people do it.’ A lot of noise blots out one’s thinking. I’m sorry for youngsters who, in today’s world, have a hard time finding a quiet place to think.
Corrine said it was a very sad time when she gave up her job at Smith School to go back to college to finish her four-year degree. “I know teaching a roomful of children in all grades was a time consuming job, with hours of preparation, and lots of energy, but it was a wonderful time!”
She said students made drawings on the side blackboard, where special sayings were written from time to time, such as this quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.”
Teachers can inspire young kids to reach for the stars and be all they can be. She certainly did that with us and prepared a bunch of country kids to excel in high school, college, work, and life. “Miss Fredrickson” has certainly left, and continues to leave, some very big footprints in the sands of time.
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