W.F. Morrison celebrates 50 years of education
<p>Morrison Elementary Dedication Troy Superintendent of Schools, R.J. Souhrada, speaks at the dedication of the Walter F. Morrison School Saturday. Seated left to right are Mrs. Larry Reynolds, chairman of the board of trustees who made the dedication talk; State Superintendent of Schools Harriet Miller, the Rev. Sam Slack, who gave the benediction; Don Waldron, elementary principal, Sue Morrison and Mrs. Dorothy Morrison, daughter and widow respectively of the man for whom the school was named; and Harry Schmautz, architect with the firm of Brinkman and Lenon, Kalispell. Photo from th…
<p>The Troy High School Band, directed by Larry Luke, played three numbers during the Morrison School dedication in Troy Saturday. Photo from the Oct. 15, 1964, files of The Western News.</p>
<p>The front of the Walter F. Morrison School at Troy provides interesting geometric patterns. The school was first occupied in September 1963 and was dedicated Saturday. Photo from the Oct. 15, 1964, files of The Western News.</p>
Thinking back to her times with her former father-in-law, Ellen Johnston describes Walter F. Morrison as a man with a youthful heart. Known for his practical jokes and commitment to community involvement, it is fitting Morrison had an elementary school named after him 50 years ago.
“He was on the school board for quite some time,” Johnston said. “He was born and raised in Troy. Just one of those guys who was always working in the community.”
As the school celebrates an anniversary former teachers shared positive memories from their years in the classroom.
“I taught in that school for 36 years,” Dennis Hedge, 70, said. “I remember on my first day a boy named Frank Shockley was sitting in the classroom, real early before anyone was there. He said, ‘I’m the meanest kid in the school.’ I said to him, ‘Well, I’m the meanest teacher in the school. I think we will get along fine.’”
Hedge said he and Shockley developed a positive relationship that year. Pretty soon, Hedge was known as the teacher capable of turning around troubled boys. In his day, Hedge taught fourth, fifth and sixth graders. He said fourth graders were his favorite “because they say hi to you no matter where you are, they believe everything you say to them and they don’t have the hormones going yet.”
Another time, Hedge recalls a young boy pulling a young girl’s hair. Corporal punishment was acceptable at the time, but Hedge took a different approach. He took the boy out in the hall and asked him to explain himself.
“I asked him, ‘Now are you teasing her because you like her, or because you don’t like her?’,” Hedge said. “I said, ‘Now if you do like her, we are getting somewhere.’ He said he did. I asked her if she liked that, and she said no. I told him to ask her what she would like him to do instead. Well, he started carrying her books and helping her with homework.’”
Fellow former teacher Joe Arts spent 33 years at Morrison.
“I graduated with an education degree and started here,” Arts said. “I figured I would work here for a few years and move on. Well, I found good friends, I was comfortable and the kids were great.”
Arts also took a softer approach with his paddle. Instead of whacking kids, Arts had students sign their name on the paddle on their birthdays. The paddle hangs in his house today with 25 years of faces and memories to recall.
“Things were more relaxed then,” Arts said. “I used to have a tarantula in the room and I would put it in girls’ desks when they were out. I liked having a good time and I wanted the kids to have a good time and enjoy school.”
Morrison Principal Diane Rewerts said changes in technology, teaching approaches and professional development have transformed during five decades.
“We know a lot more about how to engage children, which is tougher because there is so much instant gratification these days,” Rewerts said. “Also, the changes in family structure have had a huge impact on kids’ lives and what services we provide at the school. Right now there is a lot of excitement about our new reading program. And (Troy Superintendent) Jacob Francom is such a great communicator. The kids love him and he is a remarkable leader.”
A lot of memories have been made in the small town elementary school in 50 years. For the teachers who work and live in Troy, the satisfaction grows with age.
“I see my kids all over town,” Arts said. “And that is a reward money cannot buy.”