User Forums

 

Forum: General Discussion

TOPIC: 

Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher

Created on: 09/01/10 04:00 AM Views: 4142 Replies: 4
Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher
Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2010 11:00 PM

It was made known to me Sunday that Morris Barefield, my Geometry teacher at NTE 1967-68 has passed away.  I was in contact with Mr. Barefield throughout the 1980s as a friend.  I remember him as a soft-spoken, pleasant man who taught at a comfortable pace for learning.  One of the better teachers at NTE, I will miss him.

-J. Gottlieb  

 
RE: Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher
Posted Sunday, September 5, 2010 09:24 AM

I remember him as my favorite NTE teacher also.  You see, I was failing...let me re-phrase that....I got an F in Algebra I.  After going to summer school under the direction of Mr. Barefield...I got an A in the course and was thankful for his brilliant teaching abilities.  I then had him for Algebra 2 and did well again.

I thank him for getting me to understand and digest the algebra that I had such a huge amount of trouble with.

We would go visit and talk to him between classes and he was always so kind.  In those times....very unusual  to have a African-American teacher in that time of 1960's - 70's..  I say BRAVO!!!  Good for him...he helped mold many math minds. 

I felt sad to hear of his passing.  He will be missed.

Barb McFaden

 
RE: Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher
Posted Monday, October 4, 2010 10:53 AM

Mr. Barefield was the most patient math teacher - his kindness and teaching ability touched me and I have thought of him often through the years.  He was a great man who made a difference in a lot of lives.

 
RE: Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher
Posted Monday, October 4, 2010 02:17 PM

 I agree with that!!

 
RE: Passing of Morris Barefield, Math Teacher
Posted Monday, October 4, 2010 08:22 PM


Barbara Johnson McFaden wrote:

I remember him as my favorite NTE teacher also.  You see, I was failing...let me re-phrase that....I got an F in Algebra I.  After going to summer school under the direction of Mr. Barefield...I got an A in the course and was thankful for his brilliant teaching abilities.  I then had him for Algebra 2 and did well again.

I thank him for getting me to understand and digest the algebra that I had such a huge amount of trouble with.

We would go visit and talk to him between classes and he was always so kind.  In those times....very unusual  to have a African-American teacher in that time of 1960's - 70's..  I say BRAVO!!!  Good for him...he helped mold many math minds. 

I felt sad to hear of his passing.  He will be missed.

Barb McFaden

I have since learned that Mr. Barefield had been diagnosed with leukemia.  He was in the hospital at the time of his passing.

I had Richard Farwell for Algebra.  I got a 'B' in semester 1 - most likely I was tense that first semester and more attentive.  I always remember him peering over our shoulders as we took one of his Algebra tests.  He hovered over mine for what seemed an eternity as I was stuck.  He interjected "how many times have I told you to start by removing the fractions!"  I took his advice and everything fell into place.  Now - this is good teaching, turning a test into a learning experience rather than a demoralizing intrument of torture.  Farwell had the habit of addressing each student as "Mr." or as "Miss."   The formality and implied adulthood could also be taken as sarcasm if you hadn't been following the homework.  

I only got 'C's in Mr. Barefield's Geometry class, but that was purely my own fault.  Geometry is really not difficult - looking back.

  

 
 



agape