Class Act

I dreaded that September in 1984, the day that I started the first grade. I cried uncontrollably, the thought of being away from my mother for a whole day was a horrible feeling. My mother loaded me and my siblings into the car and drove us across town to Carrie Stern Elementary.  The drive seemed to be one of the longest drives of my life.
When I entered the school it seemed so big and cold inside. I remember my mother walking us around the school trying to help us locate our rooms for the year. I remember my heart beating 100 beats per minute. I didn't know what to expect once we located the classroom on the first grade hall. The teacher Mrs. Berry stood at the door greeting each parent and child with a smile.
Mrs. Berry stood what seemed at the time to be at least 6 feet tall. She was a very gentle woman though she appeared not to be. After she had gotten all of her student settled as best she could I remember Mrs. Berry beginning the process of teaching. After about three weeks of being in Mrs. Berry 's room I remember my twin and myself being moved to another teacher's classroom.
This classroom was for the kids that were supposedly a little smarter than the kids in Mrs. Berry 's room.
Mrs. Knight was my new first grade teacher I thought she was a little more gentle than Mrs. Berry . Compared to Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Berry seemed strict.  I remember her reading to us mostly and taking us out to play. I remember Mrs. Knight reading to us on a daily basis. Maybe this is the reason that I love to read so much now.
I finished my first grade year in Mrs. Knight's class. I remember thinking “I made it through the first grade”.  My first grade year was not nearly as horrible as I expected it to be.

Kamilah Barnes
Mississippi Valley State University