East Limestone Teachers of the 70's!!

(50th Birthday Cake with my Senior Year Majorette Picture on it!!  Top of cake says "No No Nanette" and bottom of cake says "Fabulous & Fifty"!  A great surprise from my daughter, Enola!)

I recently had the opportunity to thank one of my teachers for the impact she has had on me throughout my life and the confidence she instilled in me.  I truly believe in my heart that this particular teacher  showed me I had talent and  leadership ability which prepared me for my adult life and my career.   Would I be a different person without having been under the tutelage of this great teacher for 8 years (5th through 12th grades)?  Maybe not completely different, but I believe without the dedication and  confidence instilled in me by this teacher I would  not have had the ability to accomplish so much or handle lifes ups and downs without completely losing my mind (notice the use of the word completely)!  This  teacher taught me it was  okay to be nervous and she helped me learn to laugh at myself during those BIG, BAD AND SCARY TRY-OUTS!  Trust me, she was a tough teacher and expected the best from all of her students but, she also taught us humor and a great love for music!!   Yes, I am talking about Carol Crosslin, the greatest band director to ever teach at East Limestone.

Kids these days seem to think band is a "nerdy" class to take and what a mistake they are making.  They can't imagine the feeling of excitement when you know you are a member of  the BEST BAND IN THE COUNTY, it's a home game and we (the band) are waiting to make our grand entrance.  As a member of this band you are closely watching Ms. Crosslin, just waiting for her to give the signal.  Your heart is pounding with excitement and about to burst with pride all at the same time.   As you are marching through the parking lot to make your grand entrance on the football field to the beat of the drummers you feel like you are part of something great!!  As half-time approaches you are once again closely watching Ms. Crosslin for that signal to quietly get in line for "the Big Show".  I always liked it when the other band performed first because, I knew we were going to blow them off the field with our performance.   When it was finally our turn to perform the East Limestone fans in the bleachers would go wild!!  Even as an adult I can still remember that incredible feeling of pride.  Another thing I will never forget is East Limestone Band marching in the Inaugural Parade in Montgomery, AL in January 1979.

Marching Band was extremely hard work and it also took up many days of summer vacation but, it was more than worth it!  Concert Band was where my nervousness came about.  You had to TRY-OUT for concert band and then Ms. Crosslin would decide what chair you would be in.  First and second chair for each instrument meant you were pretty darned good!!  I'm amazed I didn't get last chair every year because I was so nervous I would be trembling.  Heck, I think the first year or two I actually cried!!  Yes, seriously I can remember being so scared I cried!    It still amazes me that Ms. Crosslin was so patient with me  year after year when I would walk in for try- outs shaking like a leaf!!  I know the last couple of years of try-outs she would see me walking in the door and would laughingly start shaking and pretending she was playing a flute.  By not getting irritated and impatient with me and instead joking with me about my nervousness she made me realize it was just a part of life for some of us (at least us nervous types).   She taught me that laughter is a great medicine!!

Now, earlier I spoke of the wonderful feeling before marching out onto that football field!!  Multiply that by 10 and you've got the feeling of pride when you are at State Competition for concert band and get all top scores!!   I can still close my eyes and see Carol Crosslin right before we would perform.....  she would be looking at us and giving little signals and looks of encouragement.  You could actually see the spirit of the music coursing through her veins as she would direct us and lead us through competition.  You could see the look of pride on her face when we would finish a piece perfectly!  The bus ride back home from Tuscaloosa was so filled with excitement and the feeling of accomplishment.  We would arrive at school and walk into that band room and a dozen roses would be waiting on Ms. Crosslin, compliments of our great principal Paul Hargrove.


When I sent my message to Carol Crosslin last week on Face Book she responded  and I want to share a little of her response with my readers:   I am so glad that you found the wonder in yourself that I saw in you and so many of my students. I always tried to take each one of you where you were and help you move into security with yourself. Whether it was on the field or in concert, I wanted you to let your light shine.


I want to say that I was lucky to have had other wonderful teachers.... Mr. Fleming, Ms. Barksdale, and Mrs. Hargrove, along with the greatest Principal, Paul Hargrove!!!  I feel sure my daughter Enola is yet to be so strongly impacted by one of her teachers.  Jordan, my son, is in the 8th grade and I fear that he will not have from his teachers what I had from mine at East Limestone.  I'm not in anyway saying teachers of today are inferior!  I simply think you are one lucky kid if you run across a "Carol Crosslin" and have the experience of such a teacher as we did in the 70's.

Nanette
The Crow's Nest






P.s. For those of you who wonder why I sing Proud Mary every single weekend during Karaoke..... it's Ms. Crosslins fault!!