This is the only public school in Helena that I was able to enjoy somewhat, and receive a good…read moreeducation. When I attended Hawthorne School in the 1970's, they had the best teachers, by far. Not sure why this is not listed as the school that it is. It is called Hawthorne Elementary School, and it should be listed as such, here on Yelp. I went to first grade in the little one or two room schoolhouse, to the side of the main elementary school. My teacher was Ms. Wilma Miller, and I shall never forget her. She was such an asset to Hawthorne School and had been there for ages already it seemed, when I attended. One of the kindest and most helpful teachers, that I have ever experienced. Ms. Miller taught us so much and her class was the best, in my opinion. She also was the first person to realize, that I was already being pegged as an outcast and seen as weird. This would be because I was born LGBTQ, and she knew it somehow. I knew perfectly well what I was and who I was, even in first grade!!! It is amazing to me, that Heterosexual people still like to believe it is a 'choice'. It should be pretty obvious that it is not, by my story. We cannot help that we were born this way. Have a little compassion, please? It is just something we have to deal with. I know many will choose not to believe me, but it is the honest truth. I knew who and what I was, even as a baby! Some humans are just born way ahead of their time and peers. I am one of them. I was also born with a eidetic/photographic memory, so I am not able to forget anything. This is why I can remember being a baby, and recall perfectly, my time at Hawthorne School, when I got a bit older. Some humans still do not believe that some of us are born with special abilities, but I assure you, it is so. Anyway, the remainder of my time at Hawthorne School was pretty great, except that I was bullied quite a lot for being different. So many cool teachers back then, and I learned more there, than at any other school. So, that is saying something, I believe! My second grade teacher was not all that great unfortunately, and I wish I had been in the other second grade class with Mrs. Cameron as teacher. Instead, I ended up with Mrs. Smith, who was not all that great, and was not such a great teacher either. She was rather mean and dismissive. Third grade with Mrs. Nyland was great, as was fourth grade with Mrs. Heen. Fifth grade was extremely memorable. I had Mr. Reuben Tucker for a teacher, and he was also someone who was way ahead of their time. He taught us Latin and Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes, which has come in more than handy in my life. He would also have The Beatles playing when we came to class in the morning. So cool!! He also taught us about archaeology and ancient civilizations, which is why I became an archaeologist when I grew up. I learned more from that man, than I can ever express, and would love to find him and thank him, even now. Sixth grade, my final class at Hawthorne School, was Mrs. Michelle Abney. She was also excellent, and also prepared us for Junior High, which I appreciate. Our principal, was Mr. Wenger, and he was such a nice guy too. We had it really good at Hawthorne, and I hope it is just as excellent as it was when I attended in the 1970's. It should be pretty obvious now, that I indeed do have a photographic memory. Thank you, Hawthorne School. I miss you. Btw, I am now 59 years old.
