Half Hitler, Half Skunk: What’s Up Mrs. West?
Mrs. West’s Skitler
What’s the strangest thing in your (class)room?
“My Skitler. Half Hitler, half skunk. Made out of cast iron. People could purchase him for an extra dollar when buying war bonds in the 1940s. He’s about four pounds of Allied propaganda. Mussolini and Hirohito’s names are on his tail above an arrow pointing down.”
Item #2: Skitler. Owner: English teacher Mrs. West. I rank this item a 6/10 on the Phillips Weirdo-Meter.
- What classes do you teach?
All 10th grade english and one Academic English.
- Did you ever have any weird collections as a kid or now?
Yup! Pottery, jewelry, and historically cool things. Usually pottery though.
- Do you consider yourself a hoarder?
I don’t; my husband might. A clean, obsessive person more so than a hoarder.
- Are you sentimental?
Yes! I love stories from the past; I get obsessed with history.
- Do you still own anything from your early childhood?
No.
- Do your students or co-workers have issues with the weird things in your room?
My students all want to check him out (Skitler).
- What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever collected?
(It’s) In my dining room. It’s a Victorian print of all the things you do and end up going to Hell. Victorians were a pretty stuffy crew. There are about three things I do on a daily basis on that list. (Also) Jewelry from the 1920s with reverse painted glass and a butterfly wing background.
