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BY: So you fulfill your lifelong desire to become a teacher. So what grades and subjects did you teach? Which school was the first school that you taught, or tell us a little bit about being a teacher.

DR: I was very lucky because when I got my credential, I went to the elementary school that my kids went to.

BY: They knew you?

DR: Yeah. Many of the teachers were still there. And they had a new principal, this Chinese woman, and she gave me a bad time in a kidding way. The first time I met her, we did a lot of exchange of information and stuff. Then I went back a second time. She didn't have any openings at that time for a teacher. So I went back and she said, "Oh, is that you again?" I went back, actually, three times, and she finally said, "No, I have an opening for you now." So I went on, and it was like going home because so many of the teachers, my kids' teachers were still there, and we became very good friends. I taught there quite a while.

BY: This is elementary school?

DR: This is elementary school in Carson. And then this thing happened where schools became overcrowded and so they had to do year-round schools. And my husband at that time was on a year-round schedule, a really good one. Spring, he was off spring and fall. I went to this elementary school in San Pedro who had an opening, and they accepted me. But that schedule was summer and winter. And so for one year we were on...

BY: I see.

DR: Yeah. And then I got lucky because he had an opening in the spring and fall. So I got that position, so we were able to travel all over the world during those times of year. Which is the perfect time of year to travel, by the way, because of the weather.

BY: And everybody else is working?

DR: Exactly, exactly.

BY: So how many years did you teach there?

DR: Oh my gosh, at least fifteen. And then when I retired, I went back as a substitute at that same school. And so another ten years.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.