The Toilet Paper Example

Monday I was able to visit Bell's Skating Rink and the PTL Skating Party. One of the things students did was bring a roll of toilet paper in order to receive a discount on their admission. The skating rink has a toilet paper activity for the skaters and that is what all of this TP is used for. Here is how the activity goes. Each skater is given one roll of toilet paper. The DJ plays two songs and during that time, the skaters have to unroll all of their TP and try to cover the entire skating rink. Then, after the two songs, the DJ informs the skaters that they have another two songs to PICK UP all of the TP. The boys have to gather as much as possible and bring it to one location. The girls also have to gather as much as possible and bring it to another location. Whichever group picks up the most toilet paper wins. Now, I have never written so much about toilet paper, so I hope I am making myself clear and you understand the activity. If you are reading that they unrolled a bunch of TP on the ground, then picked it up, and called it a game, then you understand so far. Its actually a very simple idea.

Here is why I tell you about this experience. I was very intrigued as I watched all of the students unroll their toilet paper. If there were 75 students on that skating rink, then there were 75 ways to unroll the toilet paper. Some students threw the roll, picked it up, threw it again, picked it up, etc. Some students held the toilet paper, then dropped the roll and dragged it until it was empty. Some students held the roll, dropped the end of the toilet paper and unrolled it that way. Still other students pulled, ripped, and dropped. Some detailed students literally placed the toilet paper on the floor one square at a time. The point is that all the skaters had the exact same goal. They needed to cover the floor with toilet paper. The way they went about accomplishing that goal was different for each skater. I can see a parallel in our classrooms. Whether we are teaching content or skills, there is an objective for each lesson. There is something we want our students to learn or accomplish. But what you have probably noticed with your students is that each student reaches that objective in a different way. There is a time for uniformity, and there is a time to allow students to explore their own path (and possibly even allow them to make mistakes and learn from them). We need to recognize and celebrate the times in our classrooms when the different abilities, skills, and processes are seen in our students.

New Resolutions vs Old Goals (2012 Version)

Last year I wrote a post comparing New Year's Resolutions to the goals we set back at the start of the new school year. You can view it HERE. The following is an update on that post which I wrote in my staff memo today.

I wonder what a comparison would look like between my “goals to reach list” and my “goals reached list.” I am sure that my “to reach list” is much longer that my “reached list.” It seems to me that we are constantly setting new goals, and often we do this before we have reached our previous goals. Throughout the year we have opportunities for a new beginning and setting new goals. January is an obvious time where we set new resolutions, June we may set goals for the summer, and August is another time where we make a new list for the beginning of the school year. Although I will not completely discourage anyone from setting New Year’s resolutions, I would encourage all of us to take a look back at some previous goals that you have set. Don’t forget about the goals you began reaching back in August. They might have been personal goals for your classroom, or the more formal goals that you set for yourself in your Professional Growth Plan. No matter what you do, the most important thing to do is to use goals and resolutions to work toward becoming a better professional educator. Each and every time we improve as teachers, Central Lutheran becomes a better school.

Image: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012, Koshy Koshy, uploaded via flickr December 28, 2011, Creative Commons License

2 Simple Goals

As the first two days of break have passed by already, I have been working to accomplish two simple goals.

1 - Disable my work email from my phone.
2 - Read something that is actually printed on paper.

So far, number 1 is going well. It's freeing to force yourself to stay away from work email and work issues. The 2nd goal has not happened, unless you count the City of New Haven monthly newsletter. Hopefully I will find some time in the next 10 days to read a book or magazine.

What are you trying to accomplish on your time away from school?

LHS November Conference - 11/18/2011

Links and Resources from the session The Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools at the LHSSC November Tech Conference.

#10 - Glogster

Great Example of a Glog
90 Second Glogster Tutorial Video
More Glogster Tutorial Videos


#9 - Voicethread

Voicethread Tutorial/Example
White House Voicethread
Voicethread Resources
Digital Library of Voicethreads in Education
Grades 9-12 Voicethread Examples


#8 - Wikis

Wiki Explanation
Wikis in Education
Thanksgiving Wiki


#7 - Blogging in Education

Blogging Statistics and Benefits
Why Students Blog


#6 - Dropbox

GET A DROPBOX ACCOUNT
Dropbox Resources


#5 - Evernote

Evernote Tutorial/Explanation
7 Ways Administrators and Educators Can Use Evernote


#4 - Diigo

Diigo Explanation
My Diigo Library


#3 - Skype
Skype in the Classroom
Skype In The Classroom Explanation
Skype Resources


#2 - Google Docs

Google Docs Resources


#1 - Twitter

Twitter Resources
Twitter Links and Resources

100 Years Ago #6

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.

O. Kamprath placed in Bloomfield, NE who was then serving in Williamsburg, IA.


The month of June 1911 marked never-to-be-forgotten days for the class of eighteen who were to be graduated from Concordia Teacher's College Seward, Nebraska at the end of that term. I shall never forget the evening after devotion, when our sainted Director Weller read the list of assignments, among which was the remark: Kamprath, Bloomfield, Nebraska. Eine sehr schwierige Stelle [A very difficult place]. Being obliged to leave the institution without graduation exercises was a great disappointment.

On August 13, 1911 I was installed as the first teacher of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomfield, Nebraska. Here this nineteen-year old greenhorn began his career in a school of forty-six pupils, ranging in age from six to nineteen years, having been called by a group of the members with the permission of the congregation. After having served one year, and the enemies of the school having been somewhat subdued, the congregation accepted me as their teacher.

Here I served in the work of feeding the lambs for a period of twelve years, during which time the enrollment varied between thirty-six and sixty. A mixed choir, a male quartet and an orchestra were organized under my supervision. In 1914 a new church was built, the old church remodeled for a school and a teacherage was built.

August 6, 1913 marks the beginning of our happy married life. Miss Martha Buehrer decided to share the poverty of a teacher's family, so she consented to have her Pastor, Rev. Rittamel of Marysville, Nebraska to make us one. Here in Bloomfield, Milton, Victor, and Norma were born. One son died at birth.

In 1923, a call was received, and I accepted to St. John Congregation near Homestead, Iowa, Rev. F. Wolter, Pastor. Here I faced an enrollment of fifty-six pupils in all grades, but during the second semester the pastor took charge of the lower grades, and the following fall a student was engaged to teach the lower grades. This a two-room school was organized and exists as such to the present day. This congregation to this day has services in the German language only, with religious instruction in school primarily in that language also. Here I spent the eleven most pleasing years of my teaching career. Loretta, Ethel, May, Elmer, and Donald were born here and thrived on plenty of milk from our own cow and plenty of good old Iowa fresh air and sunshine. In 1928 this congregation built us a beautiful nine-room house which we enjoyed for six years. A male choir and a mixed choir were in my care at this place, the former consisting mostly of older men who enjoyed singing the good old German songs, both religious and secular. This choir had the privilege to broadcast a program over Station WSUI, Iowa City several times a year, featuring German hymns and songs.

But the Lord willed it that I move once more. In August 1934 I accepted a call to St. Paul's Congregation at Williamsburg, Iowa, where I am teaching a one-room school again with a present enrollment of forty pupils. We hope to build up this school to a two-room soon. The pastor T.H. Joeckel, who was installed here this past January, is highly interested in schoolwork. This congregation has a male choir, a ladies' choir, a Walther League Society, A Ladies' Aid and Altruistic Society [another ladies group - possibly the English speaking organization].

Concerning my family, I might add that Milton was married on December 28 last year and is now living in Williamsburg practicing the tonsorial art on the heads and faces of its citizens. Victor is completing his sixth year at Concordia Teachers College, River Forest. Norma graduates this year from the Williamsburg High School: incidentally the three highest ranking students in this class are from our Christian Day schools. Loretta, Ethel May, and Elmer are attending my school, and Donald is still keeping company with his mother.

For twenty-five years we have been leading little children to Christ, and by the grace of God, may look back upon more or less success. Only eternity will fully show the success of our work. May the motto of our class, "Deo Duce" [With God for a leader], help us to carry on this work also in the future.

Oscar Kamprath

Image: The Teacherage, mrsrivergirl, Uploaded via flickr July 20, 2011, Creative Commons License

100 Years Ago #5

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.


W.H. Hinrichs placed in Bonduel, WI who was then serving in Williamsburg, IA.


Do you remember how eagerly we awaited the return of Director Weller from St. Louis in early June of 1911? The calls had been assigned. Of course we pretended to be more or less unconcerned, but in reality we were rather eager to learn of the place of our future activities. Someone who professed to know, told me I was to go to Lockwood, Missouri, which honor was accorded to Veits, as it developed later. When, that evening after devotion, Director Weller came to my name, he said: "Hinrichs, Bonduel, Wisconsin. Hinrichs wird sich freuen. Er wird eine Band haben." [Hinrichs will be pleased. He will have a Band.]

Due to the machination of Mr. H. Bloch, we left Seward hurriedly and without planned closing exercises. Of course, we were all coming back the next year, but -- of course, we didn't.

After a few happy months spent on the farm at home, I left for Bonduel, arriving there on September 1. On September 3, I was installed as first teacher of Zion Congregation near Zachow. I was told by the school board that I could have Monday to get things lined up for the opening of school on Tuesday. I was up bright and early on Tuesday morning, and so were the youngsters of the congregation. About eight o'clock they began to come in groups from every direction. When all heads were counted, there were sixty present. What a responsibility the congregation and the Lord had placed on my frail shoulders! I felt rather insignificant and unworthy of the confidence which had been placed in me, but with the enthusiasm associated with youth, I set to work to do the best I could under the circumstances. The next year the enrollment was sixty-four.

In the summer of 1912, Miss Dora Schultz of Deep River, Iowa consented to be my helpmeet. She was a woman of fine Christian character who had four years of teaching experience, and was therefore a great help to me. She was a woman such as is described , Proverbs 31, 10-31.

[ 10[d] An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]
22She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.] ESV


After spending the first four years of my professional life in this beautiful country of Northern Wisconsin, I accepted the call of St. John's congregation of Garner, Iowa, where I taught for the next nineteen years.

During my years of teaching I had the usual experiences, joys, disappointments, etc. I need not elaborate on them since you are familiar with them, but a few high lights are expected. On the evening of September 20, 1919 some unknown friend (?) helped me to get a new modern school-house. At about eleven o'clock that night the coal shed just to the rear of the school-house was discovered to be ablaze. The flames were shooting up into the gable of the school-house. The building had been a church and therefore was quite high, and it was impossible to approach the fire with the equipment at hand. The mystery has never been solved, although a car was heard to start and leave, making a great noise, just before the fire was discovered[,] and a five gallon can with a little gasoline in it was found near the coal shed.

During the Christmas holidays, 1923, two days after our classmate, Leuthaeser, was called to his reward, my wife, after a week's illness with pneumonia, was also taken from this vale of tears to the Heavenly Mansions, leaving me with seven small boys. Those were sad days that followed, but we experienced real Christian love on the part of the congregation as well as of individuals, and the Lord held His protecting hand over us. The boys have been a source of comfort during these years. Now they are growing up. Donald graduates from the seminary at St. Louis this year, Erich graduates from Concordia Teachers College at Seward next year, D.V. William works in a store, Enoch graduates from high school this year, Joel is a sophomore, while Gerald and Allen are in grades eight and seven respectively.

During my last few years at Garner a situation developed which was rather unsatisfactory, and in the summer of 1934, after serving the congregation for nineteen years to the best of my ability, it was found "necessary to close the school in order to save it". In November of 1934 I moved to Williamsburg, Iowa, and found refuge in that haven for discouraged teachers, the Aid Association for Lutherans. My territory is the south eastern part of Iowa.

After working in this field for one and one-half years, I find that it affords many opportunities for serving the Lord and His church. The work is not nearly so nerve-racking as teaching.

Thus a few "high spots" of my experiences during the last twenty-five years have been given. All in all, I must say that the Lord has been with us.

W. Hinrichs

Image: Powell School-18, Melinda Shelton, Uploaded via flickr January 7, 2011, Creative Commons License

A Little "Steve Jobs" In Every Student

My MacBook, iPhone, and iPad are all a huge part of my life. As a Mac user, Steve Jobs has made an impact on my life. With the passing of Jobs yesterday, many people are discussing and thinking about the impact he made. The discussion often comes around to the word “innovative.”

Jobs’ creativity and leadership was innovative and you do not have to do much research to find how he impacted the world. Not just the world of technology, or the world of educational technology, but the entire world. Tom Whitby posed a good question on twitter today:



In addition to Whitby's thoughts, an article I read today, “Can Creativity Be Taught?”, encourages us to stretch ourselves and our students toward developing an ability to be creative and to be innovative.

Today is a great day to reflect on encouraging the creativity in our students. You may not have the next “Steve Jobs” in your classroom or your school, but I would like to think that there is some “Steve Jobs” in every student.

San Francisco 2010 - 22, Luca Zappa, Uploaded via flickr May 2, 2010, Creative Commons License

Everyday Is School Picture Day

Each year, there is an awkward tilt of the head, a forced smile, and a bright flash. Today is school picture day, and almost 400 people at our school will have their photograph taken. Each flash of the camera is a permanent snapshot in time, a frozen moment that will last for countless years in yearbooks, school hallways, and on grandma’s living room wall. The camera has the power to capture one moment in time and make it last, whether it is some uncombed hair, a toothless grin, or some breakfast that landed on your shirt.

Educators have an opportunity for MULTIPLE snapshots each and every day. Whether you work with teachers or students, they capture gestures, comments, or smiles for years to come. Consider your interaction today with the individuals in your building. Maybe someone will need an uplifting word today instead of hearing what he or she did wrong. Perhaps a smile that a student receives upon entering your classroom is the first smile they see that day. It is possible that a student that experiences success will remember the thumbs up you sent their way for the rest of their life.

Everyday is school picture day. Take advantage of opportunities for positive snapshots.

Dad's school picture, Kim Scarborough, uploaded via flickr August 29, 2005, Creative Commons License

100 Years Ago #4

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.


P. Gabbert placed in Kalispell, MT who was then living in Brighton, CO.

Dear Classmates,

Nineteen hundred eleven, what a memorable date in our lives twenty-five years ago. How confidently we looked in the future! To some, I hope, it brought their realization of their dream; to others, the opposite. Some are with their Savior whom they served faithfully, but a short time.
I pause and pay my respect to the memory of John Noerenberg. I had the privilege to seem him a few years before he passed into "The Great Beyond." I am living now in the congregation where years ago , our sainted classmate Rudolph Leuthaeser labored. I can see the fruits of his labors. His pastor once told me that he was all teacher, and one of the best they had. Such a remark brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. His scholars, now members; all speak of him as a good Christian teacher and leader. Hoping that, after we leave this vale of tears, the same can be said of us. "Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, for their works follow them." I visit his grave quite often. Asleep in Jesus, a blessed sleep. "Eia waren wir da." [Aha! There were we.] Others, like myself have left the ranks and joined the "Have Beens".
The greatest event in my service was the World War from 1917 to 1919. It was the undoing of my service, although I hung on until the Lord saw fit to take me from actual service and put me on the retired list, via a serious illness.
At the aforesaid time I was stationed at Stilleville, Illinois (perhaps Steeleville?). Up to that time all was well "On the Southern Front". At the time when war was declared we had dropped the German. But we were surrounded by Italians, who were miners in the neighboring villages. To make a long story in short, they marched in front of the teacherage on May second, 1917 and ordered me to close the school. They even tried to sing "America," but I was the only one who could sing. The congregation saw fit to send me out "West" to gain strength. This they did. Coming back in autumn I began to teach. I taught with a revolver in my hip pocket. No protection. One night they laid for me, but the ex-teachers heard about their shady dealing and without telling me, took me away where they couldn't get me. This delayed their ogre dealing. The fateful date came October 10, 1917. I had sent my family away and was staying at the home of a school-board member.
While preparing my Bible History on "The Beauties", they surrounded the house and gave me twenty-four hours to get out or to be tarred and feathered and hanged. As no protection was forthcoming from the government I was forced, 'midst tears and lamentation['] of officers of church to leave. At this time I had contracted "The Flu". I should have been in the hospital, but I could not. While very ill on the train I contracted a weakness of the lungs and asthma. I consulted a doctor. He did not know which sickness I had contracted. He gave me some medicine which resulted in making me nearly blind. Finally after a consultation, they decided to send me partly West[.] I accepted a call to Kansas. As the years went on I became worse, and finally after a most trying service, the doctor, at my last charge, advised me to go to Colorado.
As I could not serve under trying conditions I reluctantly accepted the Lord's bidding. I am feeling fairly well now, but must stay here. Stay out-of-doors and keep away from excitement & worry.

This, dear classmates, is in short the high light in my career. I deeply regret that I could not serve twenty-five years or serve the Lord forever in this world.

The Lord has blessed me with ten healthy children. Two are preparing for the ministry, one will begin preaching next year. I have a dear loving spouse who has faithfully stood by me and helped me fight the battles of life. May God reward her bountifully for it some day.

To those who are active as yet, I hope that they can round out another twenty-five years of service. May God grant it. Also, to our dear instructors who are still active may I wish the same. May God reward them bountifully for their blessed work. I pause also to respect the memory of our President, Director Weller and Professor Strieter and Professor Schuelke. To the rest, God bless and protect you and give you a peaceful evening of life. To one and all "Deo Duce" [With God for a leader], our motto (the class motto). Keep up the good fight and keep faith and yours be the crown of life at the close of the day's battle.

P. Gabbert

Image: School Desks, DQmountaingirl, uploaded via Flickr October 5, 2008, Creative Commons License

100 Years Ago #3

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.


J. Ehlers placed in Cleveland, OH who was then serving in Kendallville, IN.

Now, as to the high spots in my life since 1911, well, sometimes it is difficult to determine when we are running in high, in intermediate, in low, or even in reverse. But, as I take it, you wish to have noted here chronologically some of the more important and interesting data in our lives and careers since that memorable and hurried departure from our Seward Normal in 1911.

You will recall that my call was to St. Paul's Congregation, Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Paul Schwan, son of Dr. Schwan was my first pastor. He is still living and we are, of course, to this day fast friends. My first colleagues in Cleveland were: E. Glave, Miss Schaefer, Miss Zeuter, Miss Mirtz, E. Faulstich, Mrs. Mielke, and F. Eggers. My own brother Karl also assisted one year in Cleveland. Other pastors at my congregation in Cleveland were: Rev. Karl Henrichs, assistant to Rev. Schwan and now with Valparaiso University; Rev. E.J. Friedrich, who is at present professor at our seminary in St. Louis, and Rev. C.W. Spiegel, the present pastor of St. Paul's church. Since 1932 I am with St. John's Congregation, Kendallville, Indiana, and my pastor is Rev. M.F. Kretzmann, secretary of Synod. It should be gratefully acknowledged here that all of my pastors have been ever ready to overlook my many weaknesses; and all of them are sincere friends of our day-schools. Here in Kendallville, we have a two-room school and Mrs. Esther Hartmann of Louisville, Nebraska, has been my capable co-worker for the past four years. Other efficient assistants in the local school, who did part-time work were: Miss Erna Kretzmann. Also Mr. Martin Schlaremann and Mr. Henry Lieske, student graduates of St. Louis. Kendallville is an interesting place to work and I am happy in my new set-up. Next year we shall have, d.v., [Latin for Deo volente, God willing] three full-time teachers.

In 1913 Miss Bertha Hausrath of Cleveland with her winning smile won me over and I married her for our mutual happiness. Yes, there was also a great sorrow: Doris, our eldest daughter, died at the early age of seven. The other children are: Marie (Micky) now a freshman in the Kendallville high school: John (Jackie) hopes to enter high school next September, and there is also Lois, the baby, at present in the sixth grade.

And now my concluding remarks. While I have had my cup of sorrow and sickness in the family, I personally should be grateful to the good Lord for all his dispensations. I have not lost a single minute in school these twenty-five years because of personal illness. We have never lacked food nor clothing. It should be mentioned that even in these recent years of depression my congregations never failed once in paying my full salary each month. Other calls, yes, I have has a number: three to Pennsylvania, one to Iowa, and one to Missouri. Now don't you think, this is about all this page will comfortably accept?

J. Ehlers

Image: School Desks, DQmountaingirl, uploaded via Flickr October 5, 2008, Creative Commons License

100 Years Ago #2

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.


F.W. Eggers placed in St. Louis, MO who was then serving in Norfolk, NE.

One score and five years ago the honorable faculty of our dear Alma mater graduated a class of eighteen young, enthusiastic, and hopeful men to be sent out in due time to all corners of the United States, to serve in the Lord's vineyard, feeding His lambs.

How well I recall the evening when our beloved and sainted Director Weller read the names of the different class members and stated the place to which each had been called.

As I hailed from the "wild and woolly West" I expected to get a call somewhere out in that region. But imagine my consternation when he said: "Eggers: St. Louis, Missouri". Oh, boy! Still farther away from "Home Sweet Home."

Since then a quarter of a century has gone by, and by the grace of God we are still counted among the living ones of our class.

On August 13, 1911, I was installed as teacher for the lower grades, (1 and 2) at Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Adolf Hanser, pastor. On that same day Rev. Oberschultz was ordained as assistant pastor of that congregation.

I went to work almost immediately. A long list of names of prospective pupils for our school was handed me. These I was to call on before the opening of school. Oh boy, did I sweat, as I was not used to a semi-southern climate, having been born not far from the Canadian border. Neither was I used to a large city like that of St. Louis. I had a difficult time of finding my bearings at first. The majority of people were foreigners.

WIth the help of God I opened that fall with an enrollment of fifty-six pupils. Before the ending of that school-year I had sixty-eight. The next year I had an enrollment of seventy-four in the two lower grades. In this enrollment I had seven nationalities represented. It is needless to say, that they kept me on the jump. But I enjoyed the work of teaching these youngsters the "One Thing Needful".

In the summer of 1914 I accepted a call to Pierce, Nebraska. The main reason for accepting this call was on account of the climate of St. Louis, which did not agree with me nor my wife. The congregation after three meetings reluctantly let us go with their blessings.

In Pierce I had a mixed school with all eight grades. This meant much unaccustomed work for me as I had never had the upper grades before. But the Good Shepherd also blessed my meager efforts at this place. The first year there I taught school in a wing of the church, which was separated from the auditorium by sliding doors.

Shortly before the close of school the next spring, the trustees of the congregation came to me with the surprising statement that they thought the time opportune to recommend to the congregation to build a new school house. At their next meeting they almost unanimously decided to do so. During that summer they build a modern two-room brick school house with full basement and furnace.

That same summer they also renovated the church and installed a two-manual, eight stop Hinner's pipe organ.

The third year there our enrollment had increased so much that they employed a lady teacher to take the four lower grades.

God indeed had been good to us and blessed my meager efforts wonderfully during our six years stay here at Pierce. Yet, in the summer of 1920 I felt obliged to accept a call extended to me by my present congregation, a member of the Wisconsin Synod, of which Rev. J. Witt is the pastor and also president of the Nebraska District.

Here I was called to take charge of the intermediate grades. At the time of my calling they had three teachers here. But during the so-called "Depression" they disposed of the lady teacher for the lower grades, although we had over a hundred pupils. But I still teach the intermediate grades as my colleague, who has been here twenty years, has the two upper and two lower grades, following the arrangement they have at the Seward Training School.

During the first year that I was here this congregation installed a nine thousand dollar Reuter, three manual, electro-pneumatic pipe organ in our church. A wonderful instrument indeed! Wish to God I could perform on it more efficiently to His praise and glory.

One wish that I have had for the sixteen years that I taught here, the good Lord did not see fit to grant me. That is a modern up-to-date school building. We have been sadly in need of one all these years, but the congregation does not think that they have the means to build one. But I am not giving up hopes that God will answer my prayer in one way or the other.

Now something about my family! God gave me a loving, faithful, and Christian wife and a wonderful mother to my children. You all know her and she knows all of you, too. She is the former Miss Selma Gans, daughter of the now sainted Pastor Gans of Middle Creek, Nebraska. The good Christian training and nurture she received in the parsonage she now applies in daily life as a teacher's wife and mother of his children. She has faithfully shared with me all the joys and tribulations during the twenty-four years of our married life.

God has wonderfully blessed our union with five healthy, sturdy, and God fearing children; three boys and two girls.

Edmund, now twenty-two years of age, was born in St. Louis. He is now employed at the Nash & Finch Wholesalers here in Norfolk.

Ruth, who will be twenty-one in August; born at Pierce, graduated from Seward Normal last spring and is now teaching the four lower grades at the Emmanuel School of St. Louis, Missouri.

Lois, who will be nineteen in June, born at Pierce, is now employed at the Bell Telephone Company here in Norfolk. She also finished the high school course at Concordia Teachers College at Seward. But because her two younger brothers were old enough to go to the Seward College, she was willing to sacrifice her chance. She now holds a very lucrative and desirable position.

Bernard, who will be seventeen in October, born in Pierce is a Junior in the high school department at Concordia Teachers College at Seward.

Now comes our "baby", Fredric Jr., who will be fifteen in June, was born here at Norfolk. He also is attending Concordia Teachers College at Seward and is a sophomore in the high school department.

My wife and I must truly confess that our dear Lord and Savior, God the Father our creator, and God the Holy Ghost our Sanctifier, has graciously and wonderfully us poor and unworthy sinners. Yes, we feel constrained to join in with the author who wrote: "Praise to the Lord who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee; Health hath vouchsafed, and when heedlessly falling hath stayed thee; What need or grief Ever hath failed of relief? -Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

F.W. Eggers

Image: School Desks, DQmountaingirl, uploaded via Flickr October 5, 2008, Creative Commons License

100 Years Ago #1

This article is part of a series written by educators from the college graduating class of 1911 upon their 25th college reunion in 1936. We are constantly facing changes in education, however you may be surprised to find some parallels between schools in 1936 and schools in 2011. I hope you enjoy some history of education, specifically Lutheran education.

The following words were originally shared via the Lutheran Education Association Administrators' Listserve by Greg Hassedahl, principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Overland Park, KS.

These words are from the graduating class of 1911 from Concordia University, Seward, NE upon their celebration of 25 years from graduation. The verbiage and punctuation is as they wrote it for their commemorative booklet from 1936. I added necessary [rough translations] from German.


G.F. Alpers placed in Altamont, IL who was then serving in Red Wing, MN.

My first call led me to Altamont, Illinois where I was installed on the last Sunday in August, 1911. I served in this place for nine years, or until 1920. During these years the enrollment was not less than fifty-six and one year I had seventy-two enrolled. My first pastor was Hartmeister [Hard master]. When Director Weller told us about our calls, he made the remark: "Hoffentlich ist er nicht so hart wie sein Name." [Hopefully he is not as hard as his name] Well, he was not. We always got along very nicely. During the entire time I have been in office, I have had four pastors. Three of these were "hart" [Hard]: first Hartmeister, second Burkhardt, third Meyer, and fourth Hardt.

On August 14, 1913 I was married to my ever faithful wife Anna, nee Hoebermann. She has shared joys and sorrows with me for the past twenty-three years. The Lord has blessed us with six healthy children, four boys and two girls. The oldest, Esther is at present assisting her mother with house work. She intends to take up studies again in the near future. Elwin, the oldest boy, is attending high school in Red Wing. He will be a Junior next year. He went though ninth grade in our parochial school and passed the State examination, so he has attended only one year thus far. Edmund and Doris and Kenneth are not as yet of school age.

In 1920 I accepted a call to my present location. The enrollment has been from thirty-one to fifty-five in the sixteen years I have been here.

My health has been quite good the entire years that I have been in office. Several times I was forced to remain out of school for a short time, but never longer than two weeks at one time.

A number of my former pupils hold responsible positions. A number are parochial teachers, several ministers, one bank examiner, business men, etc. And yet the main thing that I hope for is not that they gain prominence in this world but that they are faithful Christians, and, thank God, there are those. This the dear Lord has given us by His grace. "Die Sach und Ehr Herr Jesu Christ, Nicht unser, sondern Dein ja ist." [Special and honour Lord Jesus Christ, not ours, but yours yes is} Ja: [Yes] "Von Gottes Gnaden bin ich was ich bin und Seine Gnade an mir ist nicht vergeblich gewesen." [From God's grace I am what I am and His grace at me has not been futile].

G. Alpers

Image: School Desks, DQmountaingirl, uploaded via Flickr October 5, 2008, Creative Commons License