Interview with Nancy M. Mitchell, Dillard M. Grady, November 7, 1988

Interview Summary

Dillard Grady and Nancy Mitchell were born in Lexington, Kentucky. Their father is from Lexington and the family farm, Clarkland Farm, in Fayette County, has been in the family since it was a land grant. Their mother is from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Mitchell and Grady talk about their experiences attending Sayre School and the University of Kentucky Training School. Mitchell attended Sayre, Morton Middle School, and graduated from the University High School. Grady recalls Sayre did not have enough students for middle school, so she attended Sayre until the fifth grade, and completed her education at the University High School through high school. Both believe their parents chose Sayre for social more than educational reasons, plus University High utilized student teachers, so they felt the level of education would be inferior.

Grady and Mitchell both remembered that Sayre gave them a good background in English and spelling, plus more individual attention. There were no organized sports or physical education classes. They talk about school activities, including recess. They recall an assembly for President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he died, and the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer were said before class. Grady and Mitchell describe differences between public and private schools. They both remembered Sayre and University High students were considered "snobs." They discuss the different teaching methods at both schools and recall excellent student teachers at University High. They reminisce about student activities, including skipping school. Both thought highly of Dr. Lyman Ginger and Miss Anna Peck, a teacher who made history interesting. Both Grady and Mitchell attended some college at Transylvania University and University of Kentucky. They talk about their father, who felt women did not really need a higher education.

Interview Keyword

Sayre School University High School Teaching University of Kentucky Training School Morton Middle School School attendance. School discipline

Interview LC Subject

Grady, Dillard M. Grady, Dillard M.--Interviews Mitchell, Nancy M. Mitchell, Nancy M.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Education--Kentucky Educational change High school teaching--Kentucky Schools Teachers--Kentucky School management and organization. Public schools Private schools

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.