In an article titled A sprig of verbena and the gifts of a great teacher, Kathleen Parker of the Washington Posts Writers Group wrote about light master teachers who “hit the light switch and change one’s life.”
For Kathleen it was James Gasque, an 11th grade English teacher, who stood up for her in class when her peers were making fun of her. “She can out-write every one of you any day of the week,” he said.Kathleen started that day to try to write well, and she thought of Mr. Gasque when, on April 12, 2010, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary.
Two teachers who hit the light switch and changed my life were my high school English teachers, William Penna and Harvey Farr. Mr. Penna entered one of my stories in Stylus, our school’s annual literary publication, and Mr. Farr made copies of one of my essays for every student in the junior class as an example of excellent writing.
I also had an advanced composition teacher in college, Ms. Hanson-Smith, who to this day doesn’t know how much she encouraged me with what she wrote on one of my journal entries, “You seem so capable and self-understanding. Few people know themselves at all and you have looks, talent, and intelligence far in abundance of most people. So don’t be afraid to use them well.”
I think of these teachers as I seek publication for my novel, Between Now and Forever, in which a teacher “hits the light switch” and changes the lives of seven troubled middle school students.
Thank goodness for the world’s Light Master Teachers.
Were there any teachers who drove you crazy at the time, but in hindsight really contributed to your growth as a writer?
Actually, yes. I had two teachers in the recent past, who forced me to write about subjects and in genres I didn't want to. In fact, I think my protests drove them as crazy as their requests drove me. But darn, if I didn't surprise myself as a result, coming up with some of the poems and short stories I have shared on this blog.
Unfortunately because I had dsylexia, I never had a teacher affect me this way. If anything the opposite, at least for me. But I always appericated those techers that make such a difference.
Hi Lee. Having been a teacher myself, I know how hard it is to recognize individual students and give them encouragement when you're trying to teach at least 28 students (in grammar school)to 120 students (in the upper grades) a day. Children with special needs are often overlooked and even end up frustrating an already overworked teacher. I believe kids are being screened more carefully these days for such things as dsylexia and are getting extra help, plus parents are now more agressive about seeking out help for their children. I wish your experience could have been better. I was lucky to attend school in a small town where the class sizes were small. It was easier to stand out. That said, it still took special teachers to encourage me in this way.
Mr. Farr was my Humanities teacher at Elk Grove in the 1970's and I still remember what a wonderful teacher he was.
Mr. Farr did a composition lesson on the overhead that inspired me to write and that I still remember today. I'm sure he touched many students as he did you and me. Thanks for stopping by, Maria.