Many of us spent time in Mr. Barrett's World History class at the ripe & tender ages of 15 to 16. He guided us from prerecorded time and ancient man through great and world shaping events and philosophies to the great empires; he went from the dark ages, illuminating the middle ages. “Modern times” flowed from changing mass political expectations, motoring through the industrial revolution, exploding into world wars we thought (hoped) were a part of history that might forever be only an element of the past. What a feat to go through the history of the world in a single year. Were we proud? Naah. History paled in comparison to taking driver's ed, learning to drive and getting the license! So Mr. Barrett, patiently and with humor, taught us the rules of the road, each night praying for success because his own life depended on doing a good job.

After we had him, Mr. Barrett began his rise through the ranks at Analy. In our senior year he became a counselor for some of our younger siblings. In 1975, Mr. Barrett became a vice principal with Mr. Bertoli from the Ag Department. Before that, the jobs had been deans (remember Mr. Irish and Miss Lorraine?). His strong suits were curriculum and scheduling. By now, Analy was about 1375 students strong, and each student and teacher was still scheduled by hand using charts. His 6-year tenure saw the scheduling change from charts to punch cards processed at the county office's huge mainframe, to computer database on site.

In 1981, when Mr. Yeager retired, Mr. Barrett was selected as Principal by the Board. During this time, the makeup of Sebastopol was rapidly changing. More and more citizens were working outside the community (after all, most of us left, didn't we?). The psychology and attitudes were changing more rapidly than before and people had different expectations of school.

The proudest professional accomplishment for Mr. Barrett was Analy's move to a temporary campus and the remodel of the main building. One Friday after school, the football teams, the Analy staff and a moving company moved everything from the main building and re-setup into 24 portables in the lower parking area near the bus garage. They finished Sunday night and everything was ready for the start of class Monday morning (except for a small detail that PG&E hadn't hooked up the power!). The main building was completely renovated and the offices were moved to our old library wing.

Mr. Barrett was also very proud when Analy became a California Distinguished School due to students' and staffs' hard work and community support. He also thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie that spilled over into their personal time. Mr. Barrett received some awards and personal recognition during his high school career. He credits them all to the hard work and cooperation of the students, staff and community. “No one makes good things happen without a lot of other people being involved and sharing the same vision. Most teachers working day after day in the classroom giving their best are doing great and wonderful things. It's been because of luck and a lot of support that I was singled out, but the credit goes to everyone,” Barrett says. He ended his Analy career, finally graduating for the last time with the class of ‘92.

Ed Barrett fell deeply in love with Katie Kirkland and they married in 1967 (best decision of his life!!). A son and a daughter followed and grew with his career. Ed also grew as they did, again belonging to the grammar school family, scouts and church youth education. He raised his 3rd generation Analy grads in a home very similar to the style in which he himself has been raised and the kids raised him back.

So now Mr. Barrett is Ed Barrett, private citizen. He considers himself fortunate to continue to live in Sebastopol. Ed's first love, other than family, is gardening. He has, over many, many years, made his yard into a park-like setting. He has continued in both his grandfathers' love of apples, raising 6 types. Ed and his grandson, Ryan, can over 60 quarts of applesauce for the family each summer's end. All three grandchildren help with the berry picking but, for some reason, not much is left for jam. From harvesting the wood lot to putting in fire wood is also a shared family project. Ed and his dog keep a running count of gophers and moles caught in a year--sometimes the dog wins.

Ed keeps track of the owls that nest in the old barn on his place. It delights him to see the male return with his mate in March and to count owlets in July when they come out for flying lessons.

People call a lot for old-timer questions; they also call for help. They know he can give the time and Ed wonders how he ever had time to be employed before.

Ed has done some part-time work since he left Analy. He's game to try something different for a while. Working during tax season and volunteering at a local wine judging are recurring jobs he enjoys.

Ed & Katie have also done some traveling off and on. The next trip is a weekender with grandson Patrick to Angels Camp for the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Jubilee. Each will “jockey” a frog at the fair and the competition is hot. Ed says it's not where you go but how you experience what the place has to offer that makes travel interesting. Can't you just hear Mr. Plank from American Lit reading aloud Twain's “Jumping Frog” story? He took such delight in the jargon and the wording. We plan to delight in a 9-year old's efforts to defeat his grandpa.

Ed & Katie are listed in the phone book, or may be reached at kedbarrett@sonic.net