Mrs Shane was known as a tough 5th grade teacher. You kinda knew that it would be a tough year in her class. Something happened throughout the semester and she had to leave for good. We got Ms. Del or Dell. Pretty fresh out of college and an awesome newby. It was Viet Nam era and she was like a flower child. We had to sing at a school concert in the auditorium and I will never forget she taught us Born Free and Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Head. I don't think those songs were on the suggested list of school songs. She was also cute as well and so, in fifth grade that sure didnt hurt.

Anyway, Ms Del was an amazing break from the routine older style teachers. She was fanatstic and touched several kids lives, even forty years later. She was definitely my favorite teacher moment at Warren.

Warren in general for me was a learning experience beyond what many children will ever experience, even throughout their lives. I started school a few miles away and we moved into district in about 66. The neighborhoods where I lived was always very diverse but Chicago in the city during the late sixties were supercharged. My parents always taught us tolerance and acceptence first. If you're a jerk, color, race, or whatever just didn't come into play for us. We were white and jewish in a neighborhood that was changing quickly. People with less understanding or more fear started moving out fast. I witnessed discrimination from both sides of the coin. It's ugly on either side and that stayed with me throughout life. I learned how to walk in another mans shoes by living with all types of people. And I haved walked with those from near top to near bottom.

My children will never know this education I received from the south side. I cherish it like a badge of complete pride. My memories of Warren, Pill Hill, The J, The Pool, Markon's, our park on 88th & Jeffrey, the gangs, CVS, seeing some good ass-whuppings. I learned so much from that freakin neighborhood I can not tell you. Mostly I learned really that we are all the damned same inside. What I have seen overall in this life is that MANY people that never grew up with diversity have fear of what they do not know. I guess you can almost understand it as ignorance. Given the chance to experience many cultures, etc. we open our eyes to know and see more. There are good, bad, apothetic, involved, sincere, and scummy in every group. It could even be as close as family but I learned to give everyone a chance to represent to me whom they are before we rush to judgement. Just ask my old friends. I call back to 89th St to finds guys still there.