John Story Jenks Elementary School circa 1960's

Miss Teresa M. Finley Teacher

Miss Finley's Quotes
Teresa Finley:	60's	"Say it, spell it, say it. (...while teaching vocabulary and spelling) There would normally be in such a class period, a list of vocabulary words written in the most perfect handwriting you will ever behold, on one of the several chalkboards on the east wall of Miss Finley's Germantown Ave. side classroom. The words were like perfect gems that would be examined one by one by a professional of the art. The entire classroom would be seated with their heads rotated about 45 degrees right fixed on this list as one by one they would participate in the formula of "Say it, spell it, say it." The reason it is so easy to remember the sequence of the quote after so many years, is because of the pitfall some would fall into. Simply beginning to spell the word from the list without pronouncing it first. It meant a lot to Miss Finley. Any student stumbling into this pitfall would quickly hear her repetitive phrase, spoken with authority and with physical perfect posture. There was a reason for this formula for sure. Often the actual correct pronunciation of words was not as the student had thought it to be all there life. Such was the case with the word "stomach". Many would begin the formula by pronouncing "stum - mach". Oh, no.... it was "stow - mock". Miss Finley clearly let us know. David Sherman and I would laugh about this (the "stow" part) but in repeating it to ourselves, we learned it. Michael Stevenson

Contributor's Entries
msg 004, msg 003 msg 002, msg 001

Michael Stevenson entry:

03/31/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

From Michael S.

I really appreciate all of the messages about Miss Finley that really bring good memories of her and a respect for the high standards that she made available to all of her students. She was *very, primp and proper and also very formal. But I understand now that this is what held everything together and made education possible. I like was Nancy Uhle said about the teachers in other schools recognizing the JSJenks English students.

Also I think of what Miss Finley and other teachers experienced changing from the formalities of earlier years, into the wild and wooly 60's. Well she took it well, I remember and I respect her and all of the teachers for this.

Hats off to Miss Finley and I can't hear enough about her.
Thanks for sharing,
-- Michael S.
michael@circlegame.com

Nancy Uhle entry:

Back to Top
Back to Main

I remember Miss Finley very well. She always wore suits and I can still picture her emerald green one. Straight skirts and short jackets to the hip. I believe she and Miss Schuyler retired shortly after our graduation in '67, probably within a very few years.
I also remember how I hated her oral book reports. I was a shy kid (yes, I've changed!) and they threw me into a panic every time.....a pain in my stomach (STOW-MACH!!). To Miss Finley's credit, when I got to Leeds my English teacher said she always knew which kids were from Jenks because we all had great writing and grammar skills.
Nancy Screnci

Michael Stevenson entry:

04/17/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

Hi Donna, this is a reason I appreciate this group so much is because I can belatedly take part (so to speak) in this event dedicated to Miss Finley and Miss Schuler. I am glad to hear that this was done for them after such long careers they both gave at JSJenks.

Thanks 4 sharing,
-Michael S. '68

Donna Jackson entry:

03/28/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

HI ALL, YES MISS FINLEY WAS VERY STRICT BUT AN EXCELLENT TEACHER....SHE RETIRED THE YEAR I GRADUATED...1971 ALONG WITH MISS SHULER ANOTHER EXCELLENT TEACHER AND I STILL LOVE MATH TODAY.....DONNA JACKSON ...1971

Doris Hedrick entry:

03/28/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

Thanks for the comments, Phyllis and Nancy.

One other thing I remembered about Miss Finley was her having us diagram lots of sentences for grammar. That really helped me to succeed in English in later years.

Dori (Dori)

Bobbie Vanderherchen entry:

03/28/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

I remember Miss Finley, fondly, I think.. Maybe she had more pep in our day!! She was very strict too.

Bobbie Vanderherchen Gilkerson '49

Phyllis Linn entry:

03/28/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

I remember her. She did use to fall asleep in the classroom.
I didn't like the oral reports either.
Phyllis Linn '55

Linda Nedzwecky entry:

05/18/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

I do remember Miss Finley, boy do I ever-I think everyone in our family had her, from my mom to my aunts & uncles to my siblings. It's amazing how much time has passed since those (simpler) days! Well, keep up the tracking-you're doing a super job!

Linda (Nedzwecky) Fuchs
aka Bandaian Family
Katherine, John, Koharek & Arshaluce

Michael Stevenson entry:

05/18/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

Break:

May I take this opportunity to asked everyone whether or not they remember Miss Finley? Theresa Finley I believe it was. She was a real tower of character in my memory, and I'm sure that she was there in the 50's. Does any one remember her? She taught us English and very well at that and with great distinction.

I don't think I'll ever forget how to pronounce stomach (STOW-MACH) :)

-- Michael

PS: TO ALL-- Here is a link to the story about my "book report" and Miss Finley.

Michael Stevenson entry:

05/18/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

Dear Gail, It was wonderful to hear from you, though sadly I now realize that Miss Finley has passed on. Nevertheless, she does remain a part of and does live in these fond memories we have of her, and what she accomplished. Thanks so much for sharing! - Michael S.

PS: TO ALL-- Here is a link to the story about my "book report" and Miss Finley.

Gail L. Cathey entry:

05/17/2006

Back to Top
Back to Main

Dear Michael :
   Teresa Finley was my father's favorite cousin. She died in 1999.
   She was the last of her sisters (there were four of them all together).
   She was in Sacred Heart Manor in her later years. But her mind stayed
   crackerjack even then. Always reading.

There was a rift in the family and we did not see them when I was younger. (The rift was not with Teresa) But I did get to know her much later. (Rifts aren't good things)
I read about your website in the CH Local and I thought maybe there would be something about Teresa and lo and behold she has her own page. And I see there is also something about your book report. I will read that now.

Thanks for honoring my cousin.

Sincerely,
Gail L. Cathey

Michael Stevenson entry:

05/04/2005

Back to Top
Back to Main

Hi all, I was in Miss Finley's 7th grade class in 1967. So then, I remember it was either that year, or the next when I was in the 8th grade, that Miss Finley fell and broke her arm while crossing the street (as I heard it reported), breaking her right forearm in the process.

Well, she took it like a real trooper and before long was back in class teaching with a cast on her arm. (How well I know that feeling! Sometime remind me to tell you about a station wagon I met up with while riding my bicycle a few years before this.)

Does anyone else recall Miss Finley's fall?

Michael Stevenson entry:

Original Post

Back to Top
Back to Main

Miss Finley, we are searching for *you. Miss Finley was my seventh grade home room instructor. She demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism in Education particularly in instuction in English.
Miss Finley had a Chevy Corvair from the '60s which was really neat to look at parked on Southampton Ave. next to the school. I used to look at it all the time and talk about how the engine was in the back, (the big deal about the Chevy Corvair. Her's was really nice and was light blue in color.
Miss Finley was a fine person and I miss her. Her autograph is on the back of the 1964 class graduation photo. Have a look!

Adulthood:
Send in your entry, today! Webpage updated: 5/18/2006 6:40AM
Webpage:
email:
Profession:	Educator
Status:	Deceased
Current Location:
Comment:	One of the finest educators in the Philadelphia School System