Bio: Carlson, Mrs. Oscar – Retires from Teaching (1974)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Carlson, Boettcher

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 May 1974

Mrs. Oscar Carlson was honored at a retirement tea given Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Colby High School Library by the Colby Education Association. The close of the current school year and her retirement climaxes a career begun in 1927.

Joseph Boettcher, District Administrator, presented Mrs. Carlson with a special award, the Pointer Award. The award is given by Pointer Magazine, a magazine for those interested in special education. Mrs. Carlson is the second of two teachers in the state of Wisconsin to receive the award, and received it for her dedication to special education teaching.

Mrs. Carlson graduated from the University of Stevens Point and continued her education at UW-Eau Claire to qualify for teaching special education classes. She received a life certificate to teach grades kindergarten through eighth grade and special education.

She began her teaching career in Portage County, and taught in rural school there from 1927 to 1929. She taught school in Marathon County, south of Spencer, from 1929 to 1935. Her marriage to Oscar Carlson took place in 1935.

She resumed teaching as a substitute teacher in 1945 and began full-time again in Colby schools ten years ago.

Mrs. Carlson feels methods of teaching have changed down through the years, but some methods have returned that were often thought ineffective. She feels the basic thought in teaching has not changed throughout the years: “Help young minds to grow useful using whatever method fits the pupil.”

She has worked with 4-H clubs and her present hobbies are gardening and reading, and she plans to travel with her husband in the future.

The Colby Board of Education presented Mrs. Carlson a silver platter and the Education Association presented her a traveling bag.