LOWNDES COUNTY, GA (#WTXLDigital) - What started with two parents raising 12 children on a farm in south Lowndes County turned into a growing legacy of educators.
The Clemons family has had a legacy of teachers in Lowndes County, with five of those 12 children working in the school district. Even the next generation has made their impact on Lowndes schools.
With so many years of teaching among the Clemons family, they have experienced moments throughout their careers that may always stick with them.
Have you ever thought what teachers remember most about their students?
Creacy Sermons, who taught at the elementary and middle school level says that one of craziest moments came when she became a principal:
One day a little boy had gotten in trouble in the classroom and was sent to my office.
I asked him, what is your dad's name?
He responded , "Dad".
I said, "No, what is his real name?
He again said, "Dad".
I finally said, "What does your grandparents call your Dad when they need him to do something?"
He happily said, 'they yell---- Son come here."
I never did get his Dad's name. So, I ended up calling his grandparents.
While shopping one day, I saw one of my former students working at Wal-Mart. I spoke to him and said, "Wow, I have not seen you in a long time".
He said, "that's right, not since you threw away my art work that I was drawing in your English class."
I was lost for words.
Sam Clemons, Jr., who teaches at Pine Grove Middle School, says that his first year of teaching brought out an experience that he didn't expect:
They asked to go to the bathroom everyday and at all times during my class. One day, I had enough. I told them that if they try hard enough they can hold it and they needed to wait until the end of my class to use the bathroom. Almost immediately, I heard noises and sounds of my students trying to "hold it." Shortly after, I took them all to the bathroom.
Some memories are not as outrageous though. For Tiffany Clemons, the moments that stuck out the most from teaching high school are ones that remind her why she loves her job:
I met a female student that was not on my caseload that took to me and made an special effort to come to my office at least 3 times a week to see me. During our conversation I would listen to whatever she had to talk about and give advice when she asked. She eventually referred to me as "Momma" (my maiden name)
Another memory is that after 6 years of having a student that I constantly counseled, motivated, pushed and encouraged, I saw with her mother in the Dollar Tree thanked me for everything I did for her ,because it helped her to want to go to college and stay out of trouble.
So, there's a chance that your former teacher probably remembers something ridiculous your class did (like collectively having to go to the bathroom) or a great accomplishment you made as a student.
