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Alice Ponder |
Alice Ponder was a dedicated and long time
teacher in Mansfield. She taught in the district when the district
was only one building. Later she taught first grade at Erma Nash.
She and her family lived on a farm near Venus. Several
of her brothers and sisters never married and they kept the family
farm and home for their use. She lived in Mansfield during the week
with Ms. Charlotte Anderson and went home on the weekends. The Ponders
were a very close-knit family.
During her long career she taught several generations
of the same family. She was the typical teacher of her day. Sturdy
shoes, sensible clothes, and always neat and everything in place.
Her favorite outfit was a dark blue dress worn with beads. This
is the dress she is wearing in the school picture in the office.
She was known as a loving teacher but was also strict. She didn't
hesitate to swat a bottom or use her paddle. She gave many students
a life-long love of learning through her example.
"I, personally, have had the opportunity
to visit in her home and enjoy her hospitality through her friendship
with my grandmother and Glenn Harmon. She was a lovely lady and
enjoyed sharing stories about her early days of teaching."
--Nancy Neal, retired teacher at Alice Ponder Elementary
Alice Ponder passed away several years ago and is
buried in the Venus Cemetery. |
