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photo by Hannah Reel
Trinity Episcopal Day School teacher Cissy Pressgrove smiles at student Lucy Pyron, 10, as she gives a report on hunting safety laws during class Friday.
The Dart: Mrs. P teaches multi generations
Published Monday, November 16, 2009
NATCHEZ — Cissy Pressgrove has been teaching since 1958. Except for a three-year break when she taught in Vidalia, Pressgrove has taught at Trinity Episcopal Day School since 1967, and when The Dart found her Thursday afternoon at her Merrill Street residence, she was gearing down from another day in the classroom.
The long-time educator only teaches part-time now — she also teaches a GED class at Copiah-Lincoln Community College — but she said that all these years later she still enjoys her job.
“I especially love teaching at Trinity because it’s smaller,” she said.
Photo by Hannah Reel
Trinity Episcopal Day School teacher Cissy Pressgrove, far right, has taught at Trinity Episcopal Day School for decades. Her experience at the school has come full circle. Pressgrove, far right, taught Trinity teachers Robbie Lanehart, back row, middle, and Ellyn Hariston, back right. Lanehart taught Skeeter Hutchins, far left, and all four teachers have taught Kailey Hutchins, front, who is also aspiring to be a teacher.
Photo by Hannah Reel
Gifts from former students sit on a self in Cissy Pressgrove’s fifth grade classroom at Trinity Episcopal Day School. Over her 50 years of teaching Pressgrove has collected many gifts from her students that she uses to decorate her classroom.
But teaching in a small school in a small town means that Pressgrove has seen the cycle of life come full circle for her students.
“I am teaching children’s children,” she said. “One little girl I am teaching I taught her grandmother. The math teacher at Trinity — I taught her in the third grade.
“I have one boy — he looks so much like his father did — I keep calling him his fathers’ name.”
When she first started teaching, she was “Mrs. Pressgrove.” Somewhere along the way, however, she became “Mrs. P.”
“A little boy started calling me Mrs. P, and I couldn’t figure out why,” she said. “Then I realized that when I write my name, I write ‘P’ and then (draw) a line because Pressgrove is long — it takes half a page.
“So from then on, I was ‘Mrs. P.’”
Through the years, Pressgrove has taught Trinity’s third, fourth and fifth graders.
She changed grades to avoid having her son in her classroom, but other family members have made their way through her classroom.
“I had to teach all of my grandchildren, bless their souls,” she said.
Pressgrove currently teaches fifth grade social studies.
Comments
Posted by WhiteOleander (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOVE IT!!! Mrs. P is the BEST!!! Great story. Great person!!!
Posted by olderthandirt (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hooray for Cissy!!!! Great teacher, loyal friend and will do anything for you.The most giving person I have ever met! In the classroom she makes learning fun for her students!
Posted by luzichick (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had Mrs. Pressgrove for third grade social studies and she is, without a doubt, my favorite teacher ever. She really did go above and beyond to make the class interesting and help kids want to learn. For example, she taught the girls in our class to hula, got us all penpals in Japan, and even set up a conference call with the South Pole. We love you, Mrs. Pressgrove!
Posted by racehorse (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cissy is the very best!! This is what all teachers should be like. Have a love deep in their heart to TEACH the children. She makes learning fun!! Everyone loves Cissy!!
Posted by katblue (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She was a wonderful 4th grade teacher when I had her back in the 60's and is still a wonderful teacher today. We love you Mrs. P
Posted by dovechase (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had Mrs. P for some classes in 4th grade and my daughter had her in 4th grade for Social Studies. She does a wonderful section on Native Americans. She is a gift to our area!
Posted by JoeBlow (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. P has a smile every morning. The children love her and her stories. My child had Ms. P for two years and she will always be a favorite. A great lady with a huge heart!!
Posted by KreweMember2 (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)
I had Ms. P in 4th grand and my son also had her in 4th. She was the best elementary teacher I ever had! She makes learning fun!!!!!!! We were blessed to have her!
Posted by pbl1978 (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's nice to show Love, Kindess, and appreciation to a person, while living, instead of when he or she is lying in a casket and doesn't heard or see a thing.
Posted by TigerLily (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Mrs. P for everything you taught me.. You are definitely one of the best!
Posted by USMGIRL (anonymous) on November 17, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mrs .p was the best teacher i ever had she made learning so fun . you deserved it mrs. p !!
Posted by nolagirl (anonymous) on January 9, 2010 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am 41 yrs old and I still remember being in her class more vividly then any other classroom memory..she rocked..and obviously still does! Love you Mrs. P!!! from another P...PGreene
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