OH+Questions

//Topic: **The Integration of Milwaukee Public Schools** Interview Subject: **Jerry's Awesome Grandma**//

Alright, lets see, I first started teaching in 1952 and retired in June 1992. I taught at Kagel School, Grand View School, and Maple Tree Elementary School. I was teaching at Maple Tree School during the 70s and 80s, because it was close to my home. I truly enjoyed my job, and I loved teaching Kindergarten, first grade and second grade.
 * Could you give some background information about your teaching years and what your job was like as a teacher?...During the 70s-80s?**

I cannot particularly remember any, but teachers mainly had to accept what was given. It was our job to teach and educate children, and we did. We were open to all races and necessities. Some teachers did not like the fact that their classes were bigger, now around 35 students, but most were okay with it.
 * Can you remember some opinions that people had in 1976 when John Reynolds ruled that MPS was to be desegregated?**

There was not really any opposition that I can recollect. If there was, it was not voiced. I do recall a few white families switching schools because they did not approve of the large class sizes, but I believe that was it.
 * Was there any opposition to the integration of MPS?**

When the integration efforts started, I only had a few black children in my class. By the time I was ready to retire, there were a lot more African Americans in the school. It was great: I had good experiences with African Americans in the classroom. There was absolutely no difference between white children and black children. Later, I even received multiple kind letters from one of my African American students.
 * Do you remember when you first had an African American in your class/school?... What was it like?**

They were all treated the same. A child is a child and a teacher is a teacher, there was no difference.
 * How were African Americans, teachers and students, treated in school?**

I am not aware of the amount of segregation that other MPS schools had. However, at Maple Tree, we had very little to no prejudice or segregation. There was no bus segregation or anything of the sort.
 * How did the school you taught at compare to other Milwaukee Public Schools in regards to the amount of segregation?**

Well, transportation was an issue. Typically, an African American would ride the bus to school from the inner-city. They ususally could not attend after-school programs because they would have no way to get to school without the bus. Also, in some instances, there was very little parental support. Often times, black parents would not or could not make it to parent-teacher conferences. Sometimes, African Americans would have wrong contact numbers listed. This was especially bad when black students got in trouble because we could never get a hold of their parents. Then, kids could never learn from their mistakes. It was definitely difficult.
 * What was life like back then for an African American MPS Elementary student?**

Teaching while this desegregation effort was happening was very valuable. It taught me to accept challenges and things that I cannot change-- to live by the serenity prayer-- "God grant me the serentiy to accept the things that I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."
 * With all of the MPS desegregation that was occurring in the 70s and 80s, how was your life changed or impacted?**