Teachers and Educators Who Were Most Meaningful to Me

by Jim Philips

(originally published as “Centennial for the Decatur Schools” in Community Review, 2001)

There was a big party on November 2nd [2001] to celebrate the Centennial of the Decatur City Public Schools. The turnout was great and, a number of the best athletes from years past came back, and Decatur High even won the homecoming game. Now, it is trendy among my conservative friends to talk about the failure of public schools in our country, and how they are unable to meet the needs of the brightest or the challenged. It is also trendy in conservative circles to talk about individual achievement and self-assurance that is so prevalent among the nation’s entrepreneurs. But I celebrate the unique town and school system that educated, nurtured, and molded me. And just like we singled out and recognized all of our great athletes like Larry Morris, Frank Broyles, and Herb White at the homecoming game last Friday night, here is my personal list of teachers and educators that were most meaningful to me.
 
Ms. Lovingood and Ms. Norton. These history teachers gave me a passion for the past. I remember studying the “cradles of civilization” in world history. The theory was that humanity (back then mankind) emerged in places like China, India, and the Middle East. We studied the Monroe Doctrine, the early 19th century policy that became very relevant during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We even read the condensed version of Will and Ariel Durant’s History of Civilization, which is the best I’ve ever read. These teachers did what good teachers do, that is to make the history relevant and meaningful. To this day, I always seem to be reading some history and thanks to Amazon.com, have one-clicked myself quite a backlog of history books to get through.
 
Ms. Sue Boren. This math teacher came to Decatur High my senior year, and finally got me where I needed to be in math. The courses then were taught out of two books, which were used at both Tech and Georgia for the first three math courses. My business and personal investing depends on high math, and not withstanding computers and calculators, if you don’t know how to solve a math problem with paper and a number two pencil, you won’t get it done. She was an energetic and committed teacher, who raised the bar for many of us.
 
Mrs. Jelks and Mrs. Mills. These English teachers opened me up to the best of American literature, and helped me develop my own writing style. (My middle daughter says I write like a PowerPoint presentation.) Mrs. Jelks taught American literature, and was the Star Teacher my senior year. Mrs. Mills looked past my football player persona, and told me I could write and taught us that Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was the great American novel.
 
Coach Franklin Brooks. This fiery football coach came to Decatur 6 years out of Georgia Tech, and promptly took us to a berth in the North Georgia football championship game. He was not always right, but never in doubt, and worked hard to get many marginal athletes (like myself) scholarships to college. His best team lost in the rain in Columbus, Georgia in 1967, denying them the state championship. He went on to coach at East Tennessee and Georgia Tech, and died in 1978. He had gotten lung cancer from exposure to asbestos in a summer job, and all of his old players got together one night at a reunion to thank him for his leadership just before he died.
 
Dr. Carl Renfroe. This superintendent of the Decatur Schools ran what many felt was the best school system in the state. He was constantly insisting that teachers improve their teaching skills by giving incentives for masters degrees. Dr. Renfroe, now in his 90’s, still lives in Decatur and is still passionate about the school system he helped to build. He took a strong interest in the recent school board elections. When I reflect on these individuals and the town they worked for, it is impossible for me to claim any notion of self-made success. I got a great start right here in Decatur, and these folks are still important heroes to me, just like the old athletes we cheered for last Friday night.