Allen Elmo Strain – Teaching Career
By his grandson, James A. Strain, © 2004
My grandfather, Allen Elmo Strain (1895-1967), apparently began his teaching career at the age of 16, in a two-story, two-room schoolhouse in Calhoun County, MS, near where he was born. From here, he gradually moved to larger and larger schools, first as a teacher, then principal, and then as the superintendent of several schools. Ultimately, as the Executive Secretary for the Mississippi Future Farmers of America (FFA), he influenced tens of thousands of students through his statewide management and travels for Vocational Agricultural Education. My grandfather retired near the year of my birth, and died when I was only 10 years old, so I never really knew him in any capacity to ask him about his career as a teacher. Although it has been a bit difficult to document the exact schools and dates early in his career, I believe I have them sorted out by using a variety of sources and comparing these to his memoirs.
In the process of compiling information, I spoke with several people who were students of my grandfather. In addition to hearing a few very interesting, often humorous, stories that I’m not sure should appear in print, most of his students seem to say many of the same things. They say that he was highly respected by everyone during his career, especially after they grew up, and they invariably mention that he was a quite stern disciplinarian. Some credit him with providing them the knowledge, values, and attitudes that allowed them to succeed in their lives, and attain their own career and personal goals. I still welcome the opportunity to hear from anyone who was associated with him as either a teacher or student.
Allen Strain was sixteen years old when he graduated by examination from high school in Pittsboro, MS in 1911, having completed only 11 grades. He was a lanky, physically strong young man, who had assumed a role of responsibility to help care for himself, his stepmother, and three younger half siblings, necessitated by the fact that his father had passed away the prior year. After working as a farm hand for the summer, and obtaining his teacher’s license by passing the "teacher’s exam," he pursues a job as a teacher. Teaching had been the vocation of his father, as well as that of his stepmother, and at least one aunt. You can read about this significant time in his life through his autobiographical short story, which he entitled "Determination Will Win." In his memoirs, he writes the following paragraph regarding his trip and the hiring process for his first teaching job. It gives a remarkable glimpse backward in time and reveals the democratic process in a small town in Mississippi in the early 20th century.
I had decided to try to get a teaching job and we moved to town. The County sheriff was a good friend of ours so I went to him to borrow a horse. He was from that community where I understood they had not hired a teacher for the oncoming session. He said he would go with me so we went in his buggy. He had a sister in the community with whom we ate dinner. The people of this community had good eating in abundance. This was much more than an egg gravy and bread (corn). This was "work the road" day and about all 40 patrons of the two-teacher school were on the road. We went there and a big man who seemed to be boss called to all the men to come to this wagon and listen to a fellow who wanted to tell you how to raise your kids (I was 16 years old). They responded and the sheriff arranged for all of them to meet in schoolhouse at 3 p.m. They were all present and in good humor. The headman made a few remarks—then the sheriff introduced me. After my speech they thought a while. We were seated around a wood stove in the two-story building. There was plenty of woods outside and a long bucket well. One of the men spit his tobacco juice in the stove apron and said, "He suits me" then another one did the same until all thirty-nine had spit out his tobacco juice and said he suits me. Then the headman said, "The job is yours, you are elected young fellow."
From what I am able to deduce, this first school was at the "Old Field" School, which I believe was near Banner, MS. It’s possible that he was at two different schools prior to his move to Eupora in 1916 as he mentions teaching two years as a Principal at a school with 6 or 7 teachers. It could be that he was at Banner for his first job, and then at Slate Springs School as principal for two years immediately after that, or I could actually have those two reversed, and Slate Springs was his first school, followed by Old Field. Another possibility is that he is referring to Eupora for the school where he is principal with 6 or 7 teachers, but this seems unlikely to me.
During his first year of teaching, Allen Strain relates his fear of having broken the law due to his young age, which could have put this first job in jeopardy. He writes: "My first school found me at 16 teaching school. After securing my register I found school laws in it. One stating it was against the law to teach before reaching age 17. I would be 17 in November, so I was scared. Every horse that passed schoolhouse, I was sure was after me." He then continues, "I had a number of boys who were about my age. Some of them were mean, but majority took care of the mean ones. I taught 2 sessions and then went to a bigger school as Supt."
Interestingly enough, due to one or two memorable events that occurred, Allen Strain devoted a lengthy paragraph to his actual first day of teaching. At the age of 72, the year of his death, he writes:
As I was preparing to teach my first school - age nearly 17, the first day of school a man with two sons came to me and told me how bad his boys were and told me to whip them alive. I assured him that I was not going to whip either one of them. My heart went out to them. The bell rope went thru my schoolroom. As I turned my back on my students, a ball just glazed my head and hit with a great deal of force on the wall. I was quick enough to turn to catch one of the above boys as he sat. I rang the bell and told this young man to remain in the room. Of course, this being the first day of school had aroused a great deal of interest. In fact, several times during my reprimand I had to drive the students from the room. I did my best to convince him that I was his friend. He could not buy that idea and insisted that I give him his whipping and let him go. I told him I was not going to whip him. Finally I got thru to him. I can truthfully say that during my four years at this school, I did not have to reprimand either one of these boys again. I am now 72 years old and this was 56 years ago. I enjoyed my work as a teacher. For part of this time, my stepmother taught with me. She was a real practical teacher and Christian. In fact, some of the trustees said to get her back was the reason for reelecting me.
Evidently his career at this first school went well, and the school grew in size. Again, he mentions that he was at this school for four years when he writes, "We had at first only 2 teachers. As I taught there 4 years—my salary was finally $90.00 per mo. for 7 months." This entry allows one to know the length of a school session in the early teens, as well as his annual salary of $630.00.
During his second teaching job, Allen Strain mentions, "I boarded with a family that lived next to the school ground. They were very good to me." Also, regarding this job, he states that he "had many discipline problems from [knife attacks to] large boy carrying gun for me. I was re-elected for another year."
After his first teaching job (or first two), which lasted 3 (or 4) years, he obtained a "Hall teacher" job at Eupora, Webster Co., MS. Again, he relates an event regarding his process of getting a job, when he writes: "I was reelected for another year. In the meantime a big school man wanted us to go to this school for him to obtain Supt. of school job and me to apply for teacher job. He did not get his job but they did give Hall teacher job to me. We had waded mud knee deep with a borrowed buggy and 2 horses. We put up for the night at a very country place where the biscuits, eggs and sausage was very good and bed bugs very plentiful." The "big school man" to whom he refers was a Mr. Rayborn, who was Superintendent at Calhoun City.
Regarding his "hall teacher" position, his memoirs state that when the superintendent was gone, he was placed in charge. He relates the following description of his job at Eupora, in somewhat broken notes, which includes an event caused by his newfound responsibility.
I very soon had to teach two classes even though I had no college experience. Several of my pupils hold high office even now. They were also in my Sunday school class. When Supt. of School was absent I became Supt. On one such occasion I had refused permission to a large group to go see the parade of a show playing that night This was my mistake. I should have let them go and gone with them. Anyway, after finding out just who left school, with the help of an English teacher, we picked out 2 verses of poetry that each one must learn and repeat. About 75 students had to do this. Of course most did this in a few minutes. At school out time many had not paid the penalty. By dark still a few left. Their parents were waiting down stairs. I braced myself for trouble. In the meantime the school Supt. had arrived and would not let parents get students until they obeyed me.
During his year at Eupora, the "Great War" had continued in earnest, and as it became evident the United States would become involved, he enthusiastically wanted to join the military and serve his county. Upon asking the School Board of Trustees to release him from his contract, they apparently refused, saying they were happy with how things were going during the term, and he had to complete the last six weeks of his contract. When he left to enlist, the entire town had turned out to see him off apparently, including the school band. He writes:
"This was my 4th year to teach and every day I read in papers about war and I wanted to join. I tried to get school trustees to give me permission to join but they would not. They said that school was in good shape and they wanted me to continue until school was out—about 6 weeks to go. So I arranged to get off as soon as I could the last day of school. To my great surprise our school band was at the station to see me off. Many others were there too. Besides students—there were merchants, bankers, etc. I went to Fort Jefferson and wound up in El Paso, Texas."
Allen Strain enlisted in May 1917, when he was 21 years old, and seems to be certain that he began teaching at age 16. Regardless of how I add the years, he must have taught 5 years prior to his enlistment, even though he states he was in his 4th year of teaching. If he had only taught 3 years before moving to Eupora, this would be his 4th year, but this would mean he began teaching when he was 17 from what I am able to calculate, and doesn’t take into account the probable two schools prior to taking the job at Eupora. A clear fact though, is that his enlistment card gives his residence as Eupora, Webster, Co., MS.
Other seemingly factual data exists in a very detailed medical report from the Army, dated 18 Feb 1928, which lists his places of residence as well as his year of graduating from Common school (1908), High school (1912), and College (1926). His residences, as listed on this medical report are: Pittsboro (1895-1900), Houston (1900-1906), Tula (1906-08), Sarepta (1908-09), Derma (1909-11), Pittsboro (1911-13), Banner (1913-15), Slate Springs (1915-16), Eupora (1916-17), Overseas (1917-19), Banner (1919-21), Big Creek (1921-23), Starkville (1923-26), and Big Creek (1926-28). Perhaps he began teaching in 1912 at age 17, and the legal age to teach at that time was 18, or I suppose it is possible that he didn’t teach continuously between the years 1911 and 1915.
In the Calhoun County Historical and Genealogical Society Newsletter for the Second Quarter, 2001, Allen Strain is mentioned as being a member of the first graduating class of Pittsboro Consolidated High School, which was founded in 1912. His stepmother, Mrs. Edna Strain Smith, is also listed as being a teacher that year, though in Allen Strain’s memoirs he clearly states that his stepmother was teaching about two miles from where he was attending high school, and that they lived between these two places. A graduation class of 1913, however, would agree with his entry in the WPA source documents, however it’s likely that both of these could be based on erroneous information, or derived from the same source. As his stepmother’s name is actually Edna Smith Strain, it seems certain that this entry in the History of the School might be in error.
One might think that a teaching career would be put on hold while in the service, but as it turned out the military was in need of qualified teachers to train many of the troops in United States history, math, and other subjects, as well as in numerous vocational skills. This was especially true for the troops after the Armistice was signed, and there were large occupational forces in Germany with little to do, and who needed to be trained for jobs in preparation for civilian life. As a result of this situation, Allen Strain was assigned to teach first a series of lectures on US History to all of the companies. He was given a motorcycle with sidecar and a driver to travel to each of their locations. This could possibly have taken place prior to the Armistice, actually. He was then assigned to the First Division School to teach math. The First Division School can be documented based on the General Orders to give exams for teachers, as well as leave for those enlisted men or officers wishing to take courses in various subjects, such as English, math, science, history, mechanics, or other vocational training.
Upon returning from the War in September 1919, Allen Strain becomes Principal first at Banner (Lone Oak School) for one year, and then at Big Creek High School until 1923. His future wife, Virgie Mae Edwards, was from Banner but he had apparently met her prior to leaving for the war. They married in 1921, and their first son was born in Big Creek in 1922. Deciding to take advantage of his military benefits, he moves to College Station (Starkville), MS, where he enrolls in college on September 18, 1923, and graduates with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Agriculture on May 31, 1926. While there, his second child, a girl, is born. The first page to the program for his graduation is labeled "Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College."
From 1926 to 1934, Allen Strain holds the position of Superintendent, also teaching Vocational Agriculture, at Big Creek. A surviving handwritten document, dated March 25, 1927 and signed by trustees A. J. Bounds, W. S. Wright, O. Z. Parker, R. E. Cruthirds, and W. R. Byars, served as his contract for the school year 1927-28. His salary was $2000.00 for the entire session with the Chapel Hill Consolidated High School. During his time here, his twin sons are born. For the school year 1934-35 , he accepts the position of Superintendent for the Calhoun County Agricultural High School (CCAHS), located in Derma, MS, according to his autobiography. (Note that he is pictured with a senior class of 1932-33, though, having 48 students, and the history of CCAHS seems to end in 1934. See below.) He relates the following story about this school’s history and his teaching career.
Back long ago, my father was superintendent of a small town school. This was a time when county agricultural high schools were born. Several applications for this school in our county were presented but my father won out and the agricultural high school was placed in our town. A few months later he died. Many years after this, I was elected as superintendent of agricultural high school. This was the last year of the agricultural high school. We had large dormitories full of boys and girls. The girls had a wonderful lady English teacher and dean. At first, these county schools were needed to put students close to a high school. Many years later, as roads and transportation improved, high school was near students without the AHS. The point is - my father was superintendent of school the first year of AHS and I was Superintendent of AHS the last year AHS. From here I became superintendent of a much larger school in the same county and remained here for four years. I went to another school in the same county where I taught for 11 years.
Located on the Calhoun County USGenweb site, is the following headline:
April 27, 1933 Monitor Herald Front Page
49 Graduate at A. H. S.
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Rev. W. C. Stewart Preaches Sermon - Dennis Murphree Delivered Annual Address
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. . . Prof. Allen Strain made a splendid talk . . .
The "much larger school" which Allen Strain went to after the AHS as Superintendent was Bruce High School, which he ran from 1935 (maybe '33 or '34) to 1939. He then moved back to Big Creek High School as both Superintendent and Vocational Agricultural Teacher for the years 1939-41. From a biographical outline he prepared, as well as from his retirement papers from the FFA, I notice a discrepancy of one year, as well as the dates for his teaching at CCAHS. From the best I can tell, he was hired as the Executive Secretary of the Mississippi State Future Farmers of America, and moved to College Station (Starkville), MS in August 1941, ending a career as a public school teacher and superintendent that began in 1911. It's possible he began his position with the FFA in 1940 though, as that is what is stated in various FFA sources at his retirement from that position. Although there was a slight break due to his service in the AEF in France, he was certainly called upon to use his teaching skills during his time there, mostly after the cease of hostilities. It’s clear he was on the front lines during four major battles, with the rank of corporal, serving as a clerk in the headquarters company.
Just prior to his accepting the position of Executive Secretary for the FFA, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) compiled a history of education and schools for Calhoun County, MS. Compiled in 1938, on pages 191-92, under the heading Ch. XII, Education – Early Schools, it states Chapel Hill school, located 1 mile north of Big Creek . . . organized in the fifties [1850s] and then includes a long list of teachers beginning in 1860, concluding with "Strain, Smith, and Treloar, who is the present (1938) superintendent." This entry also mentions that this school began as a one-room building, was a four-room school in 1879, and then a modern brick building was constructed in Big Creek in 1926.
On page 211 in this WPA "Source Materials for Calhoun County," is a short biography of my grandfather, which was provided by Ethel Provine of Calhoun City, Miss.
A. E. Strain finished high school at Pittsboro in 1913, taught three years in Banner, and spent three years in the World War as a volunteer. When he returned he taught at Big Creek. He attended Mississippi State College at Starkville and received a B. A. degree in vocational agriculture in 1926. He then taught eight years at Big Creek, one year in Derma, and four years in Bruce. He built a gymnasium at each of these places.
If you add these years together, they seem to agree with my grandfather's biography. Perhaps he also provided this information to the author?
Although his career as a public school teacher and superintendent formally ended when he took the position as Executive Secretary for the Mississippi FFA. His autobiographical timeline lists that he was an Assistant Teacher in Vocational Agriculture from 1941-48. This seems to me to be tied to the fact that, though he was the Executive Secretary for the FFA, he found time to earn a Master of Science Degree in the Department of Agricultural Education during these years, graduating in January 1948. The title of his thesis is "The Value of the Training Activities of The Future Farmers of America" and is available in the library at MSU. In addition, his memoirs mention that he taught at Blue Mountain College, but they fail to specify any additional facts regarding the amount of time, or a specific year.
On the 11th day of February 1950, the State Board of Education issued a Secondary Permanent Professional License to Allen Elmo Strain, which authorized him to teach for life in the Secondary Public Schools. Evidently, even as Executive Secretary of the Mississippi FFA, he had kept his teaching license current, and considered himself a teacher.
I have several pictures available from my Grandfather's teaching career which are very large scanned files. If you would like to see any of the following, please e-mail me, and I'll provide you with a copy.
1) 1939 Big Creek Men's Basketball Team
2) 1931-32 Big Creek Grammar School
3) A school band picture, from about 1933-35, not sure if it's Big Creek or Bruce, or possibly even Derma (CCAHS). I believe they are standing in front of a radio station building, WHEF.
4) A men's Sunday School class picture from Big Creek, ca. 1930. This picture is also on page 302 of the Pictorial History of Calhoun Co. (The same page, and the next, in this book pictures A. E. Strain with the Big Creek Band, and the graduating class of 1937-38.)
5) A Senior Class picture, which I feel strongly is from Bruce High School, so it would date 1935-39.
6) A partial picture of what appears to be a girls basketball team, with a coach. The girls all have a large letter "B" on their shirts.
7) A 1932-33 Senior Class picture of Calhoun County Agricultural High School (CCAHS) at Derma. This would have been the last year the school was in existence, I believe, unless it was merely his picture with the class because he was a guest speaker for the commencement ceremony.
8) 1937-38 Big Creek Women's Basketball Team, with coach, all players named on back.
9) A card with his picture, and 8 women, that could be teachers with him from the 'teens.
10) A very faded men's basketball team in overalls, perhaps when he was a student himself. He stated that he played on one of the very first basketball teams in the state.
11) A picture of an FFA tour group on a visit to the Rex Brown Steam Electric Generating Station in Jackson, MS dating in the 1950s, I believe.
12) Several pictures of CCAHS from various sources.
