Letter to the Editor

Tough, fair teacher

Monday, April 27, 2009

Dear Editor,

This past Friday, I attended the Military Memorial Service for Miss Loy Teter at the Bartley Cemetery. She was a former teaching colleague of mine at McCook Senior High. She taught history there for many years. Most of her students considered her very tough, but fair. Loy had her students' best interests in her heart. The school and students were her family, and she knew how tough it was out in the world and she wanted them prepared for it.

Many times, when I visited with former students, they would relate to me that they wished all of their teachers had been as tough and dedicated as she was. (This was usually after they had tried college and realized how important their high school background was.)

As I looked over the group at the service I was shocked and dismayed that I did not recognize a single person either as a former student or teaching colleague from McCook Senior High. It is a shame that we get so "busy" that we can't take 30 minutes out of our schedule to remember someone who had such an important part in shaping our lives.

Paul J. Forch

McCook Senior

High, Retired

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  • I do not remember having her as a teacher, but I do remember the day she through me against the locker and reprimanded me for inappropriate behavior in the hall-way (I deserved it).. I believe the students referred to her as "Ma" Teter.. She definitely had an impact on me that day..

    -- Posted by mickhaney on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 4:27 PM
  • being one of her former students, i can attest to her being tough but fair! thank god i didn't fall under her rathe, since i knew the punishment would fit the crime, and be worse when dad found out! i didn't know "ma teter" had passed, but i promise, every student of hers, that hears the news will remember her, and it'll mostly be good! to be fair, in her later days at MHS, she had mellowed quite a bit, but trust me, she still had it in her, if needed! i know as a sophmore i had heard all the horror stories about being in her class! well, truth be told, i think it got a little exaggerated! tough, yet fair.....it doesn't get any better than that!!! i'll remember ms. teter fondly, and hope that someday, teachers will be allowed to teach like she did! some of these kids need it! so long ms. teter!!! class of 81

    -- Posted by bigred1 on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 5:03 PM
  • I have to admit I cried when i read about *Ma* Teter's passing. My gosh what an absolutely wonderful teacher..and I was lucky enough to know I could turn to her any time and she would lend her ear only giving advice if I asked for it..If teachers in today's schools could be as tough and yet as fair as she was problems with students might not have gotten out of hand like they have ..kids would realize they have to earn the grades they want and the respect they need..I don't think there was any student of her's that didn't respect the lady..and she WAS a true lady

    She had on impact on every student who went to MHS I know she will truly be missed..class of '68

    -- Posted by misty on Mon, Apr 27, 2009, at 10:54 PM
  • As we all grow older, the memories are still with us that we all grew up to Ms. Teter being a teacher. She was part of our lives as we went through McCook High School. She was an excellent teacher and friend. Yes, she did state her purpose and meant every word of it. I still remember the white Cadillac she drove and the Honda 90 motorcycle she had. I remember "Sarge" and I am glad that I had the priviledge of going to her class. Ms. Teter was always clear on what she said. No crap. Just the plain truth.

    Too bad we don't have more like her to educate our kids and instill the values of learning to them. She will be missed.

    -- Posted by edbru on Thu, Apr 30, 2009, at 9:32 PM
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