For no reason that I can really think of, lately I’ve been thinking of some of the teachers I’ve had in the past. Although I really didn’t enjoy school, it wasn’t because of the teachers or the classes. As a matter of fact, I can only really think of a few teachers, whom shall remain nameless, that ever gave me any problems, for instance:
- · My middle school science teacher, who was also the administrator for all of the Audio/Visual equipment; he spent more time out of the classroom taking care of OTHER classes’ needs.
- · I had a substitute in one of my high school English classes (covering a maternity leave) who didn’t like me and a friend of mine. Although I was struck down with Mononucleosis and was out of school for a month, she refused to take that into consideration during research papers. How she thought I was going to do a research paper when I was flat on my back, so sick I could barely THINK, and this was years before home computers were in just about every home. We didn’t even have a set of encyclopedias. Even though she said I could do an interview – which I thought I rocked – she still flunked me for the quarter.
- · My high school science teacher flat-out refused to pronounce OR spell my last name correctly, even though I corrected him every single time.
- · I won’t even get into my high-school chorus instructor.
That said, I really feel the need to give a “shout-out” to some of my favorite teachers, the ones who come to mind when I think of true educators from my childhood…in no particular order.
- My first-grade teacher, Miss Richards, was a lovely woman, warm and fun. She noticed that I was a good reader and let me attend a 3rd-grade reading class, taught by the wonderful Mrs. Lukas. Both of them were encouraging and challenging at the same time. I ended up in the hospital near the end of the school year, and they both came to see me together, bearing my favorite book from my reading class, “Hubert’s Hair-Raising Adventure”. I still have it, with their inscription on the inside front cover.
- While I only had her for a month-and-a-half, I DO remember the teacher I had for second grade after we moved. She welcomed me with open arms, even though I was shy and scared; and every day during snack she would pull out a record player and records. Every time I hear the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” I think of her.
- Miss Jean, my elementary school music teacher from grades 3-6 was a beautiful young blonde woman who encouraged me to find my voice. She convinced me – actually, she DRAFTED me – into the school chorus even though I was only in 3rd grade and one had to be in 4th, 5th or 6th to join. I was in the school chorus every single year since, right up to senior year.
- My middle school music teacher, Mr. Hackney, was actually a neighbor! He lived at the end of my street and would always greet me when I was walking to a friend’s house. He was an accomplished musician; I’ll never forget being at the beach and seeing him in the big band!
- Mr. Jonathan Shailor! *sigh* Putting aside the fact that I had the most insane crush on him, he was also a wonderful teacher. His skilled direction allowed me to play the part of Viola in “Twelfth Night” – including a sword scene – even though I was (and am) terrified of swords. He allowed me to cry on his shoulder the day I found out that a dear friend had committed suicide. He had the hardest time finding a project for me to go beyond my comfort zone (when it came to performing, there WAS no “beyond”); he settled for writing an absolutely hilarious parody piece for me to deliver as a singing telegram to the vice principal in the main hall during the busiest time of day. I could go on…
- I’ll cap it off with a man who, while he wasn’t a teacher, I still learned a lot from: my high school principal, Stanley “Stan the Man” Stoncius. Professionally, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for him. I worked one period a day in his office, assisting the secretaries or working the in-house switchboard. Knowing that I was interested in following the field of administration, he would often give me jobs and tasks more fitting an actual secretary than a student-volunteer. At graduation, he even told me to use him as a WORK reference!
