Can you name your most memorable teacher? Quite a few have had a continual impact in my life. In second grade, there was Ms. Rose. I am not sure of her religion then. She always wore a black dress with a cross around her neck. Her gift to us was an unlimited supply of salted pretzel sticks.
Then there was fourth grade, Ms. Evans. This militant lady sported a massive salt and pepper Afro, wore white turtlenecks; tucked neatly into her flare navy skirt, and soft walking shoes. Ms. Evans canvassed the rows of desks and chairs, shoulders back, sturdy and strong with a list of directives. You will not lean over the back of your chairs, you will face forward, you will begin each page of schoolwork with a proper heading, and you will do your homework. And we did.
There was the beautiful Ms. Wilson, our creative arts and dance teacher in fifth grade. Don’t ask me how Ms. Wilson wore daily a pressed to perfection skirt suit while teaching drawing and dancing, but she did. And we were good! Well, the dancing was for me. My artwork wasn’t very good. Ms. Wilson never judged and always encouraged me to do better.
Finally, I have to name Mr. Gruber, my high school math teacher. I will admit I had a crush on this Jewish, balding man, whose shirt never remained tucked into his jeans. He moved sloppily across the chalkboards and spoke passionately about congruent angles with a very audible lisp.
I was falling for Mr. Gruber in my most discrete way. Why? Perhaps, because he convinced me that I was just as smart as my classmates. In fact, after I tested poorly, he would go over the exam with me. Not only that, he would design me another test. Consequently, I begin passing with A’s and B’s the first go round. This teacher wasn’t physically attractive in any way to me. (I’m sure he was to his WIFE!) His actions were never inviting or inappropriate. His passion, however, was contagious. It mesmerized me! How anyone could love a triangle or an algebraic equation so much? Good God.
I’m thinking about memorable teachers because as my JUST WRITE! writing class continues to grow; I continue to grow as a teacher. I know that if I offer my students, literary terms, technical skills with guidance, but lack passion, I am just sounding tinkling brass.
The burning passion is the love that brings life to any topic. It connects the teacher and student. Long after the student and teacher enter separate worlds, the passion will always be their conduit. You may not be a teacher or a writer. However, whatever you do in life, do it passionately. Passion draws us and captures our attention. In fact, I think somewhere in the Bible, God says, with love and kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
Keep passion in your life. For it leaves a timeless imprint, allowing you to touch someone’s soul. Amazingly, twenty plus years later, when I see a congruent triangle, I will remember Mr. Gruber and smile. A spark is ignited and I light up to make it a passionate day for you and for me!
