Ms. Jo Zelma Brown was born in San Angelo and her family moved to West Point and later to Muldoon.
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She has been called a legend in her own time, and now that legend has retired from teaching in the Hallettsville Independence School District. Jo Zelma Brown, who for years struck fear in the hearts of incoming freshmen, retired at the end of this school year after 43 years of service to the Hallettsville Independents SChool District as a science teacher.
"I enjoyed my work, I enjoyed being here, " Ms. Brown said, "I wouldn't have wanted to teach anywhere but Hallettsville High School."
Ms. Brown was known for helping students after school, in Saturdays or even after school was dismissed for the year.
"Ms. Brown had high expectations for her students, "HHS Principal David Kalich said."She believed that all students could learn. "She is a lady of unquestionable character and integrity."
Ms. Brown grew up picking cotton during her youth and said "I was in the cotton field one day and I said to myself, "there has got to be something better than this."
Her mother and father encouraged and supported education and were a big influence on her life. She was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class as were her tewo sisters.
After graduation, she began to look for employment in Fayette or Lavaca counties. Then one day while sitting on the porch getting ready to pick cotton, Principal A.E. Evans of Stevens-Mayo High School drove up to the Brown's home in Muldoon and offered her a teaching job.
Ms. Brown attended elementary school in Flatonia. "The principal in Flatonia had a big influences on me," she said. "He said I could be anything I wanted to be." Since Flatonia did not have a high school, Ms. Brown had to choose between Waelder and LaGrange to complete her high school education. She chose LaGrange and her father had to drive her to school every day.
She went on to college at Huston Tillotson in Austin, graduating with a degree in education with a science major.
She accepted and started her career at Stevens-Mayo High School in 1959. She taught physical science, biology, chemistry and physical education plus sponsored the only yearbook published at the school.
Integration of Stevens-Mayo and Hallettsville schools took place in 1967. THis was a trial year for all students and integration was peacful and successful.
My job has been a blessing to me more than I have been a blessing tot he kids.
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DownloadMs. Brown is a member of the Faith Temple CHurch of God in Christ. She was appointed as the new district missionary for the VIctoria District and will devote her time to the church. "I felt I could not do my best at both jobs." Ms. Brown said.
She is also an adult Sunday school teacher, church secretary, YPWW president, and YPWW teacher. Ms. Brown has also served as church treasured, YPWW teacher and bible band teacher.
She was recently named a Woman of Distinction by the Restoration Christian Center in Austin, was the first Wall-Mart Teacher of the Year, serves as treasurer on the Minority Scholarship Committee and is a motivational speaker on the church circuit. "Ms. Brown will be talked about for years to come," Kalich said. "Present students and parents will be telling their kids and grand kids about that " science teacher in high school."
"She will be remembered for her wisdom, dedication and caring attitude."
Ms. Brown left the school district with 89 accumulated sick leave days. "I could never see myself taking off just to take off, " she said.
What will be the toughest part of leaving JHallettsville High School for Ms. Brown? "One of the things will be giving up my good parking space," she said.