MEET MARGARET BROGLEY
Date: Thursday, May 29 @ 11:47:18
Letters to Editor
Yes, I am the Margaret Brogley who occasionally writes to the Arkansas Democrat GazetteI have been asked to write for Arkansas Publik Skulz and promised that I would as long as my time and your interest permits.
Perhaps I should introduce myself. I am a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas. I went through all twelve grades there, then to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville for a B.S.H.E. degree, then to the former Texas State College for Women in Denton for an M.A. degree, and later to Michigan State for extra work.
I entered the first grade in 1921 before kindergarten and preschool and before John Dewey's influence gained a stronghold in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains; therefore, I received a fairly good start in the educational field: no Dick and Jane, no new math, no situation ethics, no sex education, or any other foolishness. And I learned to read before the first grade was over, not at the end of the third year!
I taught almost forty years, beginning in 1939 in a small country school and retiring in 1978 from Fort Smith¹s Northside after thirty-five years there. I also taught in London, England, in 1948-49. (That was an education in itself!) So, you see, I have a few years behind me. As a result, I will be writing mainly from a historical viewpoint which I hope will give a good insight into our problems and perhaps help you to realize just how much education has degenerated. Occasionally I might write something trivial or a human interest story to lighten things up a bit.
I now live in Van Buren across the Arkansas River from Fort Smith. Many of the old timers will remember Van Buren as the home of the comedian Bob Burns and his bazooka. Also, you will remember that he loved to poke fun at the Arkansas hillbillies going barefoot. Oh, how I loved to go barefoot as a child. Such a delight! I just couldn't wait for school to end each year so that I could get out of my longhandled underwear and kick off my shoes!
The news of the "Barefoot Hillbillies" traveled far and wide -- even to Europe. I had no more than landed in London when someone looked at my feet and remarked, "Why, you are wearing shoes!" I replied, "Oh, yes, I always put them on when I dress up and go somewhere! You see, I like to impress people!"
We are Pleased to welcome Margaret Brogley and her Letters to the Editor to the halls of Arkansas Publik Skulz.
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