Lessons from Lewiston: Former Junior High teacher writes book

In “A Teacher’s Tale,” former Jenifer Junior High School teacher Robert Hammann II writes about his experiences teaching and coaching in Lewiston in the 1970s.

Hammann taught math and coached a variety of sports at Jenifer from 1972-79. He was athletic director the last two years of his tenure and also umpired Babe Ruth and Legion baseball games. In “A Teacher’s Tale” he mines his time in Lewiston in depth, beginning with the unusual circumstances he was hired under.

“Most of the stories are humorous and reflect the mindset of the middle school student and the rookie teacher who tried to teach and make a difference in their lives,” said Hammann in an email. “I talk about my view of what it takes to teach middle school students successfully. I also talk about the many changes that came to Jenifer Junior High and the Lewiston School District during the 1970s: Title IX, special education, collective bargaining, the ‘new math,’ etc.”

On the sports side, Hammann writes about the special relationship between coaches and kids and working with Lewiston legends like Dwight Church and Harvie Walker. He’ll sign books from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at And Books Too, 918 Sixth St., Clarkston.

Raised in a military home, Hammann graduated with a mathematics degree from what is now Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma. He joined the U.S. Air Force, spending a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War. When his term was over, he obtained an Idaho teaching certificate and was hired in Lewiston. He later worked as a principal in schools in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, retiring in 2004 as superintendent for the Ritzville School District. He lives in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and plans to write a series of books about his experiences in public education.

“A Teacher’s Tale” costs $16.99 at And Books Too. It is also available as an e-book online.