Haskell Educator Starts 59th Year Of Teaching

HASKELL, OK -- 59 years at one job is inspiring, but 59 years teaching math and science to middle school students is impressive.

That's the case for Sylvester Franklin, whose career started shortly after World War II came to an end. The only place he has ever taught is in Haskell, in Muskogee County.

A bustling hallway marks the start of a new school year in Haskell.

"Well I'm so glad you all are here this morning," said Sylvester Franklin.

"Make sure you're ready for class, that's the main thing."

Franklin is starting his 59th year as a school teacher in Haskell. This year it's math to sixth graders.

"Mainly I stayed here all those years because I didn't have any particular reason to leave," said Franklin.

Now 84-years-old, Mr. Franklin started teaching shortly after fighting in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

He spent 16 years at Haskell's all-black school before desegregation.

Since 1967, he has taught thousands of Haskell students the ins and outs of math and science.

These days Mr. Franklin only teaches a few hours a day, but it's time he loves and time he hopes to never give up.

"As long as I feel good, I have nothing else that I aspire to do except to be with young people and teach," said Franklin.

Mr. Franklin also teaches the GED classes, helping adults get their high school diploma.

If nearly six decades on the job isn't impressive, Mr. Franklin has only missed two days of classes in that entire time.

Absolutely incredible, that one man can continue doing the same job for that many years. I have not been able to work consistently at a job over 3 years. The one thing that stands out about this man is he loved what he was doing and I believe that if you choose a job for what you love doing instead of what you want to get out of the job no stretch of time is impossible for you to continue working at one place.