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A. Kennedy Mosely, known as Mose to many, began teaching at Chamblee High School in 1954. As he prepared to retire, Judy Fenster wrote about him for the June 1983 Dunwoody Crier in an article titled, “A. K. Mosely A Chamblee Favorite to Retire.” Mosely taught American Government and History. He was Chairman of the Social Studies Department.
In the years 1966 to 1968, when the number of students at Chamblee had grown to 2000, and Peachtree and Sequoyah High Schools had not yet opened, Mr. Mosely served as Assistant Principal. During six of his years at the school, he was also manager of adjacent North DeKalb Stadium.
Mr. Mosely in the classroom-head of the Social Studies Department in 1966. Photo is from the 1966 Chamhian, Chamblee High School Yearbook.
Mr. Mosely’s photo in the 1967 yearbook for Chamblee High School, when he was also Assistant Principal.
A description of the classroom includes that his room faced Stadium Drive. He had copies of historical documents on the walls and the American flag displayed overhead. The room had the typical green chalkboard and large clock, “always too fast or too slow.” The windows were usually open letting in “…the spring air and the drone of lawn mowers.”
On the day of the interview, Mose asked his Senior government class, “What do we mean by excise tax?”
A. Kennedy Mosely was born in 1919. He attended The Citadel and the University of South Carolina before serving in the Navy during World War II. Senior Jeff Meyers said of Mosely, “His stories about World War II really captured the feeling of history.”
Following the war, Lieutenant Mosely attended the University of South Carolina Law School, graduated in 1948 and worked for a time in law. He also worked in the insurance industry and as a stockbroker. He taught law at the University of South Carolina. Then in 1954 he became a teacher at Chamblee. He found his true calling when that change happened.
Former students of Mr. Mosely remember him as a great storyteller, who helped students understand government and shared stories from his experiences in WW2. He also told them about his hometown of Ninety-six, South Carolina. Several alumni of Chamblee High School describe him as the best and favorite teacher they ever had.
A comment from Senior student Gina Antinezi appears in the article, “He gives a better understanding of government because of his experiences as a lawyer.”
The principal of Chamblee was Hal Davis at the time of the article. Davis commented, “He’s one of those unique individuals who can get the best out of the students and make learning a joy rather than a chore. Taking a class with Mose has been a tradition as Chamblee High School and many students, and later their children have done this.”
As he retired, Mr. Mosely expressed his emotions on leaving the school. “I will miss being with them (the students). They keep you moving and thinking young and give you an inspiration to try to help.” He also looked forward to retirement and fishing.
Mr. Mosely died in 1990 and is buried in Ninety-Six Presbyterian Cemetery in Ninety-Six, South Carolina.