What an amazing piece of work by Ms. Joan Momsen!
I was one of her MANY students during her remarkable teaching career.
I had to take an (participated) in her classes during the years 1983-1984 (Class of '84 Cavers).
I had two classes with Ms. Momsen at GPHS, and to be honest, I didn't even want to take one of them! During late summer, I found myself assigned to Ms. Momsen's 4th-period History class in 11th grade, a class I dreaded, despite my interest in History.
I had heard how stern and strict she was. (I was NOT that kid).
I had to take her class because it was a graduation requirement, and I dreaded it.
It took me about a week or so to adjust to her teaching style, to the point, facts, and “teaching” not being an “Instructor”…
Once I did, I really related to and enjoyed her lessons.
However, I felt incredibly frustrated in all my classes (not just hers), especially after receiving two of my papers from her marked down for being "sloppy."
I tried to explain that being left-handed and writing in these awkward right-handed desks contributed to my handwriting issues with a #2 pencil or a blue-ink pen.
It affected my papers and my further learning. Ms. Momsen was the 1st and ONLY teacher who understood those challenges.
In 1984, my parents, teachers, and the educators in the GPHS school district had little to NO understanding of dyslexia. We were simply labeled as intelligent but "slower" kids. Additionally, being left-handed in a predominantly right-handed environment presented its own unique challenges.
Looking back, 40 years later, after graduating from GPHS, I realize that my "C" average then would now be considered an A to upper B-level grade. At that time, I struggled to understand composition in English in class, mastered it, and the numbers in my math class (transposed), and often felt jumbled together.
Then, I felt too proud to be labeled as a "less-than" student. Ms. Momsen told me in 1983 and in 1984, "One day, life and this world will understand you and what you have to offer".
She encouraged me to accept the "C" grade I received, reminding me that she understood my situation and “me”.
My appreciation for her teaching-ways deepened when I learned to truly listened to her and respected her as a teacher, rather than just viewing her as an instructor.
Don’t get me wrong, she was strict and very disciplined in the mid-1980s (don’t be tardy!!) and she did not tolerate clowning behavior
from her students.
During that time, in the 80's the teacher-student relationship allowed us to talk to them after class for mentorship or to discuss our mistakes.
While she may have seemed harsh to others, "This class clown" genuinely enjoyed her wit and subtle humor, which seemed to go unnoticed by most of the class. I saw and heard it.
I actually signed up for an elective in my senior year simply because I appreciated her insights and mentorship.
She was our "Celebrity Guest" in 2014 during our 1984 class reunion, and I still can't bring myself to call her "Joan". She remembered this clownish, jock-like student who loved her classes!
I saw many of our classmates, who hold her in high regard, calling her “Teacher.” She taught us more than we knew or wanted to know at the time.
One of the BEST Teachers... I ever had in my lifetime!
