Mrs. Ireland

Mrs. Helen Ireland

Fifty years ago I was a fourth grade student at Fausey School in West Springfield, MA. My teacher, Mrs. Ireland, was new to the school system, a seasoned professional, and black. When she introduced herself to the class I remember thinking she was the only colored Irish person I had ever seen (give me a break – I was only 9).

The town is nicknamed “West Side” because it’s on the west bank of the Connecticut River, across from the City of Springfield. The river was a cultural boundary: the minority population was in the city while West Side was white. There weren’t any minority students in the school system and Mrs. Ireland was the first black teacher hired there.

Mrs. Ireland lived in Springfield with husband George on a well-kept, tree-lined urban street occupied by families who looked out for each other. If a kid strayed and a neighbor spotted him, it was acceptable and appreciated by the parent if the neighbor straightened him out. Church was a big part of life.

She had traveled overseas, including three trips to the Holy Land, and filled her classroom with displays that piqued curiosity in an orderly environment where learning was fun – and expected. She had a no-nonsense approach, but it didn’t conceal her love for the kids. She was a great teacher.

I always wanted to tell her the impact she had on me, but never did. There was no excuse for this and I regretted not following through. But I got a reprieve. One day the newspaper showed Roderick Ireland being sworn in as Chief Justice of the state Supreme Judicial Court. His mother - Mrs.Helen Ireland, age 92 - held the Bible.

I visited her the next day. She gets some help but cooks, walks, attends church and is sharp as a tack. When I mentioned she looked great at 92 she was quick to correct: “91.” She wears a glove on her weak left hand, but says she took karate lessons and “can still pack a wallop with the other one.”

She was raised down South with 9 siblings, all of whom graduated college. The family “lived at church” and God has always been central in her life.  It shows: she and George put four unrelated kids with unsupportive parents through college.

She says “You can do anything you put your mind to and work for.” I asked why she came to West Side, thinking civil rights was the reason. But it wasn’t: she “applied for it because it looked like a good job.”

She’s seen lots of changes. Her street isn’t safe at night, the houses have deteriorated and “we’ve got children raising the parents instead of the parents raising the children.” She and George saved all their lives, so she “doesn’t need money or ask for it, so the younger folks think I’m rich.” She asked, “Do I look rich to you?”

Actually she does. Her life story and faith make her wealthy.

Photo Credit:  Masslive.com


To Comment
If “Post a Comment” box appears below, (1) write comment in box, (2) in “Comment As” select “Name/URL” and enter first name OR select “Anonymous,” (3) click “Continue,” (4) click “Post Comment”
If “Post a Comment” box isn’t shown, click on “Comments,” scroll down and complete above steps.

Be a Fan