Normandy

Donna Boley-Kholer

Donna Boley-Kholer taught at Normandy for 19 years but she taught for 30 years
in all. Her most memorable moment was in her second year, one of her classes
used to give her a big group hug at the end of class everyday. Ms. Kholer's favorite
thing about the school was a group of students and teachers who were very helpful
to her when she had health issues. She taught 7th and 8th grade, but eventually
she just taught 7th grade Math. Ms. Kholer is an example of perserverance. She
continued in her job teaching students no matter what difficulties she faced. Kholer
shares her story to encourage others to keep going no matter how difficult the
challenges may seem. See her story at http://donna.earth2.net/ .

Michelle Cotton

I interviewed a teacher that worked at the Normandy 7 and 8 Grade Center years
ago. Her name is Michelle Cotton. Ms. Cotton worked at N78C for 27 years during the
years of 1979-2005. Ms. Cotton's favorite memory is when she had a 7th grade
student and the student had to make a decision about showing love for her family or
giving into peer - pressure. Ms. Cotton says, the student chose to have a talk with her
and after the talk, the student made a good decision in her best interest. When Ms.
Cotton was here she taught Math. Ms. Cotton says, one difference about the school
then and now is that the physical building has changed. Ms. Cotton always loved the
support of the staff, and she liked when the students' lives were enhanced by the
things she was teaching. I would like to thank Ms. Cotton for taking the time out of her
day to answer these questions.

Ch ico Jon es

Chico Jones taught for 26 years at Normandy Middle. Charles (Chico) Jones has 5
kids. They?re all grown.The youngest is going to college on an athletic scholarship. In
addition to serving many years at Normandy, Chico was the track coach at Cardinal
Ritter, and basketball coach at UMSL. He was inspired by a gym teacher that
interacted well with students, so that encouraged him to become a coach in basketball,
football, track and all other sports, trying to pass on skills that youth need to do so they
can be successful. Being able to communicate and to relate to all students was
important to him. His goal was to make sure everyone was ready to go into the real
world and take care of themselves and their family. In 26 years he only wrote 2
referrals. In Mr. Jones' class a student had to dress, shower, and play to get A?s and
B?s. Chico also contributed the weights for our gym through his affiliation with UMSL.

Helen Lark

Mrs. Lark worked at Normandy Middle School for 30 years. She started
working at NMS in 1972 at 42 years old. She retired in 2002 at 72 years old. She
is now 89 years old. The field trips out of town to Washington D.C., Alabama, and
New Orleans lasted 3 days and were some of the best times for students and
staff. Her favorite thing about the school was if you got your work done nobody
really bothered you, they made your job very comfortable for you. Lark taught
science on a daily basis and over the summer. Over the 30 years, students were
very nice, but as times changed, she had to watch closely because students
became very busy. When Mrs. Lark first began teaching the school was called
Normandy Junior High. Some of the principals were Mr. Paulsen, Mr.Huber, Dr.
Jackson, and Ms. Sharp.

James C. Smith

James C. Smith started at Normandy as a teacher in September of 1970. Mr. Smith
taught at Normandy from 1970-1996. Smith taught Industrial Technology. Working at
Normandy helped him understand that this level of students are important and needed
guidance. He inspired the kids by providing them with guidance. Some memorable
moments are the field trips, awards, and getting the "Teacher of the Year" Award 3
times. When James Smith began working here, he was the first black male teacher.

Dorothy Turner

Dorothy Turner started teaching here in 1972, she taught Health, P.E., and
Consumer Science. Her favorite things about the school were the students and
parents, and building relationships within the community. A big event that
happened for her during the time she taught here was when she created the first
Pom Pom team and Completion Dinner between 1973 and 1974. She helped turn
the junior high into a middle school, because she was a part of the board. A
memorable moment for Mrs.Turner was when the Pom-Pom team won first place
and a student who played drums, later became one of the first black drummers
for Normandy. When she taught here there were 9 teams set up with 4 teachers
to promote the students' learning. Mrs.Turner later retired in 2002.

Gon e Bu t Not For got t en

Leo Guffy Harold Mullins

Fred Meyer Beulah Walker

Mike Underhill Jim Felix

Richard Parker Christopher Veasy

Earline Helm Meghan Flannery

Duie Etta Graham

Mary Kay Maddox

Erma Gates

St af f an d Alu m n i Say Good-bye



Cr ed it s:

Dr. Karen Collins-Adams-GATE Program Director
Azito Ahmad-Gol-sales and editor

Serenity Brinkley-author and photographer
Ja?Rae Cole-author

Amber Coleman-author
Michelle Cotton-editor

Jaiden Davis-author
Anijah Evans-author
Armani Guyton-author
Dr. Cheryl Harris-editor

Little Holly-editor
Naomi Jenkins-author
Vivian Johnson-project facilitator

Hana Jones-author
Janice Jones-Wyman and project coordinator

Micah Long-author
Lashawnna Levy-author

Kayla Moore-author
Paula Pettibone-Wyman and editor

Kenya Phipps-author
Elijah Price ? financial advisor and photographer

Exzavier Potts-artist
Keaton Sansoucie-author and photographer

Dana Sanchez-Salvador-author
Addison Williams-author

Sharifah Sims-Williams - photographer
Do n ye?Win st o n -au t h o r
Wyman Center-funding

Dr. Christopher Young-El- N78C principal

Websit es:

https://www.normandysc.org/domain/149
w w w.n or m an d ysc.or g
http://www.northstlouiscounty.com/enewsletter/Apr2011/Foster.pdf
http://www.duanemartinfoster.com/about.html
http://www.stlamerican.com/salute_to_excellence/education_
gala/duane-m-foster-tangible-success-through-the-arts/article_
0b438182-fdb3-11e1-a144-001a4bcf887a.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/music-teacher-leaves-broadway
-to-rebuild-normandy-theater-program/article_efaa1fa6-a9f2-5e48-a54c-3a0ccd893a2f.html
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/after-broadway-and-movies-music
-teacher-returns-home-to-guide-normandy-theater-program/63-495591199
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/there-was-something-missing-stint-new-york
-stage-energizes-normandy-teacher#stream/0
h t t p s:/ / en .w ikip ed ia.or g/ w iki/ Nor m an d y_High _Sch ool_(M issou r i)
h t t p s:/ / com m u n it ygosp elch oir .or g/ ou r -d ir ect or /
h t t p s:/ / w w w.p gh sch ools.or g/ sit e/ Def au lt .aspx?PageTyp e=3& Dom ain ID=
4& PageID=1& View ID=6446ee88-d 30c-497e-9316-3f 8874b 3e108& FlexDat aID=13359
h t t p s:/ / m ycn ew s.com / n or t h -cou n t y-p olice-coop er at ive-cap t ain /
https://www.conservapedia.com/Laurence_Maroney

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