Following his departure from Ionia, Dad contemplated working for the Iowa State Highway Commission and went so far as reviewing a contract—not because he wanted to leave teaching, but because his salary had been less than $2,500 a year and he was planning on a big family. In the end, though, he decided to stay with his chosen profession. He loved teaching, being with students, feeling like he prepared young people for the world, and everything else that goes with the job. As a compromise, he moved to a larger community (roughly 3000 people) with a larger school (about 50 or 60 students per grade) for a larger salary (just slightly over $3,000).
The community was Belle Plaine, Iowa, and there my father began teaching junior high social studies and drivers education in 1953 and continued through 1981. Once, in the late 1960s, he applied for and was offered a job with the nearby Cedar Rapids school system. Despite the lure of a larger salary, Dad chose to decline the offer and stay with the smaller Belle Plaine Community Schools. He never regretted the decision. In fact, as the years passed, he became a legend—a beloved legend—in the small town.
The community was Belle Plaine, Iowa, and there my father began teaching junior high social studies and drivers education in 1953 and continued through 1981. Once, in the late 1960s, he applied for and was offered a job with the nearby Cedar Rapids school system. Despite the lure of a larger salary, Dad chose to decline the offer and stay with the smaller Belle Plaine Community Schools. He never regretted the decision. In fact, as the years passed, he became a legend—a beloved legend—in the small town.