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02/05/98 - In Memory of Mr. Kenneth Curson - By: Gayla (Couch) Pledger
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – 02/05/98
Through his many years of service to our public school, the little town of Tecumseh was richly blessed by the humor, knowledge, and dedication of Mr. Kenneth Curson. For more than 20 years, he taught American and Oklahoma History to us and then to our children, making his classes more of an entertainment event than a course of study.
On January 20, 1998, Mr. Curson passed away at the young age of 54, but the memories of his cheerfulness and interesting stories will never fade. In remembrance of this gifted teacher and wonderful human being, I would like to dedicate the enclosed writing to his family and to all his students.
Sincerely,
Gayla Pledger
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9534/
In Memory of Mr. Kenneth Curson
By: Gayla (Couch) Pledger
One of his students, 1972-1974
I was a shy little thing, probably more scared than most about moving on to junior high. Too sensitive for my own good, it didn’t take much for me to feel rejected, especially by adults. Though a very young fellow at the age of 28, he was still an old man to this little 12 year old. It was my first year to encounter male instructors and I didn’t know what to expect. I had been scared of nearly every school teacher I’d had.
Mr. Curson was a wonderful exception. From the very first day of class, I knew he thoroughly loved being a teacher, he loved what he taught, and he loved the kids. Personal acceptance and sincere enthusiasm are contagious, and it was a joy to be in his presence. For a bunch of physically and socially awkward, pimple-faced adolescents struggling to accept ourselves and please our peers, there could have been nothing more nourishing than Mr. Curson‘s bright smile and bubbling laughter. He could somehow make us laugh at ourselves without ever hurting anyone’s feelings.
He was never domineering nor intimidating to keep order in his class — he didn’t have to be. His students intuitively knew there was no place else Mr. Curson would rather be than right there with us. By osmosis, I believe we all felt the same toward him. His sense of humor, cheerfulness, and zeal were unfailing. It was just impossible to be in a bad mood around Mr. Curson. While most adults — parents and teachers alike — attempt to demand respect from the children in our care, becoming more forceful as we lose control, Mr. Curson had the rare ability to command respect effortlessly and even unintentionally. We all liked him so much we naturally wanted his praise and approval in return.
During enrollment for the seventh grade, American History was probably my most dreaded subject. Yet, the following year, I anticipated Oklahoma History with excitement for the opportunity to sit and listen to Mr. Curson’s intriguing stories once again. For all us in the little town of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, who had the sweet privilege of being his students, is the knowing that one is not required to live in a large city nor pay for private schools to have the benefit of an excellent teacher. Regardless of the years that pass, there will be no forgetting his bizarre tales of the Aztec Indians and their cruel rituals of torture. I made straight As in his class both years — in courses which had never appealed to me. Yet, Mr. Curson had a charismatic ability to make snowfall seem exciting to an Eskimo.
Twenty-one years later, my own daughter had the advantage of being one of his students. I remember when I enrolled her for school that year, I was thrilled to see Mr. Curson's name on her schedule. I made it a point to stop in his classroom and say hello. I’m so glad I did. His cheerful greeting assured me that the years of teenage-wear-and-tear had not changed him. Of course, it was no time at all until my daughter was coming home from school each day excitedly sharing with me the wild and humorous stories Mr. Curson told about events in history. He was the same Mr. Curson I remembered. I cannot imaging a more difficult task than to spend half of one’s life surrounded by the hormone-induced insanity of juveniles reaching puberty. Yet, this man did so, day after day, year after year, through hundreds of junior high kids, and never lost his smile.
I admire and gratefully respect Mr. Curson for being the most brilliantly gifted teacher I ever had, and in general, for his radiant, enjoyable personality. He will be missed by so many — each and every one of us who were touched by his genuine love and zest for living, learning, and teaching. I feel certain he must have been a wonderful husband and father, and his family undoubtedly feels blessed to have had him in their lives.