Falk School

Another significant place in my life was Falk School.  It was a private “lab” school under the auspices of The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education.  Their motto was, and still is: “Spirit of Inquiry.”  The classes were small, 10-12 students;  the teachers very supportive.  The atmosphere was lively and joyful.  I entered in the 4th grade and graduated from 8th grade in 1938.  I loved that school; the teachers, the Principal, Dr. Chorowski,  and some of my classmates.  I excelled in writing and artwork, though I was very poor at spelling.  I was chosen to play Alice in a production of “Alice In Wonderland.”  In later years I often said jokingly, “That was the high point of my life!”  

Many decades later, in 2007 I had several dreams telling me to return to Falk School as a volunteer teacher.  I was then in my 80s.  I had spent many enjoyable years as a Parent Volunteer in our children’s and grandchildren’s classes in Davis. I encouraged the children in their artwork and creative writing.   With the help of two Falk School teachers and two friends who knew a lot about dream work, we created a “Dream Theater.” 

A group of 8th graders, using costumes and props provided by me, acted out several of their dreams.  The following day they made collages based on those dreams. We had lots of fun.  In 2008 I received the “Outstanding Alumni Award” from the University of Pittsburgh, a great honor.  I believe I received that honor mainly because I had been subsidizing Falk School for many years, especially the Artist-in-Residence programs.  Pittsburgh was a significant place for me also, later on when we moved back to Mt. Lebanon.  I attended the high school there, graduating in June, 1942, just when the U.S. entered World War II.

 That’s me, second from right, in a mask I made!