Miss O’Neil, 3rd Grade…She looked like Marlo Thomas…and drove a silver 69 Camaro SS….Not sure I learned anything….Or did I? 😉
Sister Mary Bienvenudi. At four feet eleven inches, she was an octogenarian version of General Patton in a penguin suit.
Had a bunch of good teachers.
Back in the old days teachers tried to make you think.
They TAUGHT!
Mr. Gamble
Frank Barone
Mr. Matthews
but the one who stands out was Tom Hamorski, HS Physics.
When a student asked him what Platinum was made of, he didn’t laugh or belittle him – he EXPLAINED the concept of elements.
The school degenerated within 2 years after I graduated and he went into HVAC work.
The late Albert Finley, HS biology teacher at Ferris HS in Spokane, Wa. from the mid 60’s till he retired in the late 80’s/ early 90’s. Great man, great teacher and one of my Dad’s customers at the garage for many years.
Lou Volpe, HS Eng Lit.
He encouraged me to write and express.
anonymous was me.
my wife. but dont tell her.
Life is the best teacher we have all had. It rewards you if you listen to it and work hard and slaps the crap out of you if you do not…… I cannot believe I just wrote that.
Mrs. Merrill, Fifth Grade.
She was incredibly kind and taught in a way that made learning really enjoyable.
The class loved her.
Two of her own kids attended the same school, so one of my classmates was charged with finding out from them when Mrs. Merrill’s birthday was.
Well, he got the information and we planned a surprise party.
Everybody got their moms to bake cakes and all kinds of treats.
We made cards and somehow got her out of the classroom so we could set up the ‘party’.
She came back in and…TADA…we all screamed “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS. MERRILL !!”
She was overcome and thanked us profusely.
But, alas, then she told us that it was not her birthday.
Being the wonderful person she was, we had the party anyway.
Wow, I can’t even begin. I had so many nuns who hovered over me trying to make sure I wouldn’t become a juvenile delinquent. Seriously. Mom had to go to work after Dad died when I was ten. I tried my best to get into mischief without realizing that’s what I was doing. Nuns on the phone with my mom at least once a week.
God bless you all and thank you. I know you can hear me ’cause I know you are all up in heaven, especially Sister Mercedes, Sister Assumpta and Sister Holy Ignorance (Innocence) who drove us to perfection to become great “Girl Fridays.”
GRAVITY
Art Sporny–Mechanical Drawing. He taught me the skill of being able to turn something around in my mind and deducing many things from the abstract. It’s served me well in the legal profession.
1
Donald F. Hamingson (1930-1998)
Columbia High School
Maplewood, New Jersey
World’s BEST writing teacher. The first person I’ll thank when I win my screenwriting Oscar.
Mr. Gambill, art teacher, grade 10-12.
The only benefit to being part of bussing desegregation was that I was sent to a school with 3 art teachers- essentially drawing, ceramics/printing and photography. Mr. Gambill crossed all those and encouraged me to draw draw draw. Other kids in class got the accolades but I was a hard worker. Mr. Gambill was a bird watcher and did delicate intricate ink drawings of birds. He knew art history and he was funny. He was in his mid 30’s when he was my teacher. He encouraged me to go to art school. As it turned out I was his only student to graduate from the local well known art school- he was very proud of me. I’d go back to visit him and saw that my old school reverted back to its ghetto days. Cops in the halls and metal detectors and graffiti everywhere. After Mr. Gambill had been beat up 3 times by his “students” and he quit teaching and became a parking lot attendant. He died in his forties. I’m glad I did get to tell him how much I appreciated him encouraging me to be an artist.
Beside my parents?
11th grade history teacher. He was a crusty old soul who took the time to explain the underpinnings of how the country was constructed under the Constitution. There were only a few of us who made it worth his while, and he did not brook uninterested or disruptive fools.
Cool story about him peripherally. Itt’s been decades since I graduated from HS, and some years ago, I came back to the area to help with family. I went to the market one day and while parking, observed an older woman nearby parking and then walking around two cars examining them, and talking to the driver of the other car. They didn’t have a particularly confrontational exchange, but something seemed off. She went in with a tense walk. He went to another store. I have no rational explanation for this, but I went over and snapped off a few pictures on the phone of what looked to be very minor cosmetic damage to both cars. My thinking was that he had tapped her car and it rattled her.
I finished shopping and was about to leave, while mentally filing away the task of checking online for one of those ‘if anyone saw this at X parking lot on xx/xx/ date’ posts when she came out. I approached her and told her I had photos if she needed them.
Turns out it was she who had tapped the other driver’s car. But the guy was claiming she had caused much more damage to his than she did, and tried to get her to pay out 1K on the spot to make it all go away; the 30 something grifter tried to con an 80+ woman. She was grateful. She turned out to be my history teacher’s widow. He had passed away about eight years previous. I had the pleasure of telling her he was the best teacher I’d ever had, and that Mr. E was still looking out for her.
tl;dr – Call me a superstitious dolt for my faith, but in things large and small, G-d’s work may not always be apparent, yet Big Guy does work. He made my responsible good citizen effort turn into something so much more.
Jose Zoylo Tapia, California Dept. of Forestry
Prior to formal school, my late Mom was a great teacher. She taught me to read, write and do arithmetic well before first grade. She majored in English in college.
Our middle/high school was combined grades 7 through 12 (yes, I come from a small town). Mrs. Gillison taught us 7th grade English using the same lesson plan she used for the 11th grade. I had her again in 11th grade and the lesson plan was similar to college level.
My Father, Rest in Peace. During my formative years he taught me the importance of honesty and that there were consequences for my actions (in the same lesson).
My dad. He had more integrity than any one I have ever known.
He was truly a great man
The best teacher I ever had is under the chalk: The Street.
Failures and mistakes are great teachers.
Ms. Gellerman, 6th grade. She was an albino, blind, and carried a magnifying glass around with her. She had a key chain that had over 50 rabbits feet attached to it. She was never married. She was a great teacher, everyone loved her.
I AM TOSK II
Life.
Experiential lessons are the best.
That’s why we’re here in the first place.
That’s why doing something 10,000 times makes you an expert.
Professor Gravity holds class every day.
my father, hands down!
and after him, sister maureen third grade all hallows academy. she was smart, patient and fearless. still remember her tying up the andrew twins with jump rope. they kept falling alseep and would slide out of their desks.
Sister Anna Bosestringen, Danish child survivor of the Holocaust. Taught British History dressed as Elizabeth I, American History as Ben Franklin and German History as Kaiser Wilhelm…and she didn’t need a fake mustache……
Dad taught me the most about technical things, and how to take a punch. Mom taught me the most about love and eternal life.
Ernie Cordoba taught me how to R&R and overhaul an engine and transmission from an unmarked police vehicle when I was 17 years old. He lived in the White Fence bario of L.A. and could explain anything mechanical in a way that even a dumb ass kid like me could understand. He never called me a pendejo, but for several months, I thought that was his son’s name.
Best school teacher would probably be Mr. Bruso, 5th grade, Reseda, CA.
There are other teachers who helped me get my surveying degree who are still very good friends. But I think it’s the ones you know early on that make the deepest impression on your life.
God Bless the Good Teachers in this world.
I had a lot of good teachers, but Senior DI SSgt Learman near the top of the heap.
I have favorites from different compartments of my life, but our police academy self-defense instructor, Arnie Schmeling, was truly an incredible man. He taught us ignorant police larvae how to survive. He was gnarly, strong and very serious with us but unbeknownst to us until after he was finished drilling survival tactics (especially mental attitudes toward survival), he had a huge heart. He also had an interesting pre-police history. He was apparently a really great police officer and I was really lucky to have benefited from his instruction; I think our class was one the last before he retired. My seat during classroom instruction was front and center and his spoke from a raised stage in his booming voice. I still remenber much of what he taught us! ?
Mary Massengale – She loved her work and loved all of her students bringing out the best in each. A petite woman with an enormous heart. At the end of the year we hated to leave her class room. She taught Jr. High Math and Biology.
Hans Indorf – another who loved teaching and the response from students. Brilliant, energetic and always willing to listen to students without belittling or demeaning as some prof’s did. He escaped Nazi Germany as a young man. Perhaps that’s why he had such a joy of Living. Taught comparative government.
James Joyce – Physics, made it understandable for all. A very kind man and the only one I ever saw in church on Sunday’s. I still remember a lot of what he taught because of the practical applications. A very decent, kind human being. I think he is the only one of the 3 still alive and still teaching.
Sorry that Anonymous was Eugenia. Wish I could remember the name of the student teacher who taught Calculus. Another Great. That was back in 1972 and my mind draws a blank.
Ann von der Mehden!!
Sister Eleanor
She was old and frail, I was in first grade. She came at me and I pushed back. I don’t remember the whole sequence of events, but she also taped Bobby Matthews to his chair. Apparently I hurt her, for that I am sorry. She was the bestest teacher!
Tom Day, high school science teacher. Made science interesting, a witty and intelligent man. Yeah, I had a crush. 🙂
The best teacher I ever had was my own stupidity.
My Mom (actually she was my stepmom; but she loved me as much as any mother could & I never once felt she wasn’t a mother to me in any way, even after she birthed her own children with my dad) … she taught me how to walk, talk, instilled in me manners & respect. she taught me how to read & write well before I went to first grade (we had no kindergarten). she taught me how to defend myself & stand up to those that meant me harm. she taught me how to dress myself, tie my shoes, & clean up after myself. also taught me how to use a knife when I would have to cut her a switch so she could beat my rear end with it when I deserved punishment 🙂
My Dad … taught me to respect women, help out those less fortunate & always family first …. & he taught me how to switch-hit by the age of four, ’cause Mickey Mantle could. taught me how to ride a bike & drive a car. taught me not to pick on other kids (especially my little brothers) because I wouldn’t want others to pick on me. he was a full-time policeman & part-time barber & only had to use the razor strop on me twice that I can remember 😉 he also taught me how to shine shoes, boots, holsters, Sam Brown belts, & polish brass (especially uniform buttons & bullets) & how to change a tire & pump gas & how to swim & dive.
Grandma Bessie … taught me the love & pure joy of living each day. she taught me how to play musical instruments & sing … especially hymns in church. she taught me how to cook, carve a pumkin, pick the best apples & cherries out of the trees to bake delicious pies. She taught me how to tie a tie, shuck corn, peel apples & potatoes.
Grandad … taught me to respect all people, the importance of charity, how to be a gentleman, strop a straight razor & shave, how to patch a tire, push a mower, paint a fence. he also taught me the rewards of the capitalist system by giving me my first job, sweeping the floor in his barber shop for a quarter a day.
Great-Grandad … taught me how to put an edge on a knife sharp enough to shave a mouse’s tit (a saying of his; always wondered if he ever tried it), curry, saddle & ride a horse, skin a coon, make a whistle out of a poplar branch, tell tall tales, how to care for leather (baseball gloves, boots & shoes & saddles), how to tell by the moon phases when to butcher a hog, when to can certain fruits & vegetables, when to plow, when to bale hay, when to bring in the animals for the winter (he swore by the Farmer’s Almanac), how to use a hammer & a saw, how to straighten out old bent nails so you could use them again, make a bird house, how to smoke a cigar & laugh like you just heard the funniest story in your life
There are a lot of great posts here, but ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ’s is beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your loved ones.
1961/62, Wiesbaden, Germany, HH Arnold HS- Mrs. Hirsch. Amazing teacher.
Coaches Randy Cooper and Wes Ferrell at Seacrest HS in Delray Beach, FL, 1963-5 and Coach Doug Dickey at Univ. of Florida, 1970.
Miss O’Neil, 3rd Grade…She looked like Marlo Thomas…and drove a silver 69 Camaro SS….Not sure I learned anything….Or did I? 😉
Sister Mary Bienvenudi. At four feet eleven inches, she was an octogenarian version of General Patton in a penguin suit.
Had a bunch of good teachers.
Back in the old days teachers tried to make you think.
They TAUGHT!
Mr. Gamble
Frank Barone
Mr. Matthews
but the one who stands out was Tom Hamorski, HS Physics.
When a student asked him what Platinum was made of, he didn’t laugh or belittle him – he EXPLAINED the concept of elements.
The school degenerated within 2 years after I graduated and he went into HVAC work.
The late Albert Finley, HS biology teacher at Ferris HS in Spokane, Wa. from the mid 60’s till he retired in the late 80’s/ early 90’s. Great man, great teacher and one of my Dad’s customers at the garage for many years.
Lou Volpe, HS Eng Lit.
He encouraged me to write and express.
anonymous was me.
my wife. but dont tell her.
Life is the best teacher we have all had. It rewards you if you listen to it and work hard and slaps the crap out of you if you do not…… I cannot believe I just wrote that.
Mrs. Merrill, Fifth Grade.
She was incredibly kind and taught in a way that made learning really enjoyable.
The class loved her.
Two of her own kids attended the same school, so one of my classmates was charged with finding out from them when Mrs. Merrill’s birthday was.
Well, he got the information and we planned a surprise party.
Everybody got their moms to bake cakes and all kinds of treats.
We made cards and somehow got her out of the classroom so we could set up the ‘party’.
She came back in and…TADA…we all screamed “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS. MERRILL !!”
She was overcome and thanked us profusely.
But, alas, then she told us that it was not her birthday.
Being the wonderful person she was, we had the party anyway.
Wow, I can’t even begin. I had so many nuns who hovered over me trying to make sure I wouldn’t become a juvenile delinquent. Seriously. Mom had to go to work after Dad died when I was ten. I tried my best to get into mischief without realizing that’s what I was doing. Nuns on the phone with my mom at least once a week.
God bless you all and thank you. I know you can hear me ’cause I know you are all up in heaven, especially Sister Mercedes, Sister Assumpta and Sister Holy Ignorance (Innocence) who drove us to perfection to become great “Girl Fridays.”
GRAVITY
Art Sporny–Mechanical Drawing. He taught me the skill of being able to turn something around in my mind and deducing many things from the abstract. It’s served me well in the legal profession.
Donald F. Hamingson (1930-1998)
Columbia High School
Maplewood, New Jersey
World’s BEST writing teacher. The first person I’ll thank when I win my screenwriting Oscar.
Mr. Gambill, art teacher, grade 10-12.
The only benefit to being part of bussing desegregation was that I was sent to a school with 3 art teachers- essentially drawing, ceramics/printing and photography. Mr. Gambill crossed all those and encouraged me to draw draw draw. Other kids in class got the accolades but I was a hard worker. Mr. Gambill was a bird watcher and did delicate intricate ink drawings of birds. He knew art history and he was funny. He was in his mid 30’s when he was my teacher. He encouraged me to go to art school. As it turned out I was his only student to graduate from the local well known art school- he was very proud of me. I’d go back to visit him and saw that my old school reverted back to its ghetto days. Cops in the halls and metal detectors and graffiti everywhere. After Mr. Gambill had been beat up 3 times by his “students” and he quit teaching and became a parking lot attendant. He died in his forties. I’m glad I did get to tell him how much I appreciated him encouraging me to be an artist.
Beside my parents?
11th grade history teacher. He was a crusty old soul who took the time to explain the underpinnings of how the country was constructed under the Constitution. There were only a few of us who made it worth his while, and he did not brook uninterested or disruptive fools.
Cool story about him peripherally. Itt’s been decades since I graduated from HS, and some years ago, I came back to the area to help with family. I went to the market one day and while parking, observed an older woman nearby parking and then walking around two cars examining them, and talking to the driver of the other car. They didn’t have a particularly confrontational exchange, but something seemed off. She went in with a tense walk. He went to another store. I have no rational explanation for this, but I went over and snapped off a few pictures on the phone of what looked to be very minor cosmetic damage to both cars. My thinking was that he had tapped her car and it rattled her.
I finished shopping and was about to leave, while mentally filing away the task of checking online for one of those ‘if anyone saw this at X parking lot on xx/xx/ date’ posts when she came out. I approached her and told her I had photos if she needed them.
Turns out it was she who had tapped the other driver’s car. But the guy was claiming she had caused much more damage to his than she did, and tried to get her to pay out 1K on the spot to make it all go away; the 30 something grifter tried to con an 80+ woman. She was grateful. She turned out to be my history teacher’s widow. He had passed away about eight years previous. I had the pleasure of telling her he was the best teacher I’d ever had, and that Mr. E was still looking out for her.
tl;dr – Call me a superstitious dolt for my faith, but in things large and small, G-d’s work may not always be apparent, yet Big Guy does work. He made my responsible good citizen effort turn into something so much more.
Jose Zoylo Tapia, California Dept. of Forestry
Prior to formal school, my late Mom was a great teacher. She taught me to read, write and do arithmetic well before first grade. She majored in English in college.
Our middle/high school was combined grades 7 through 12 (yes, I come from a small town). Mrs. Gillison taught us 7th grade English using the same lesson plan she used for the 11th grade. I had her again in 11th grade and the lesson plan was similar to college level.
My Father, Rest in Peace. During my formative years he taught me the importance of honesty and that there were consequences for my actions (in the same lesson).
My dad. He had more integrity than any one I have ever known.
He was truly a great man
The best teacher I ever had is under the chalk: The Street.
Failures and mistakes are great teachers.
Ms. Gellerman, 6th grade. She was an albino, blind, and carried a magnifying glass around with her. She had a key chain that had over 50 rabbits feet attached to it. She was never married. She was a great teacher, everyone loved her.
I AM TOSK II
Life.
Experiential lessons are the best.
That’s why we’re here in the first place.
That’s why doing something 10,000 times makes you an expert.
Professor Gravity holds class every day.
my father, hands down!
and after him, sister maureen third grade all hallows academy. she was smart, patient and fearless. still remember her tying up the andrew twins with jump rope. they kept falling alseep and would slide out of their desks.
Sister Anna Bosestringen, Danish child survivor of the Holocaust. Taught British History dressed as Elizabeth I, American History as Ben Franklin and German History as Kaiser Wilhelm…and she didn’t need a fake mustache……
Dad taught me the most about technical things, and how to take a punch. Mom taught me the most about love and eternal life.
Ernie Cordoba taught me how to R&R and overhaul an engine and transmission from an unmarked police vehicle when I was 17 years old. He lived in the White Fence bario of L.A. and could explain anything mechanical in a way that even a dumb ass kid like me could understand. He never called me a pendejo, but for several months, I thought that was his son’s name.
Best school teacher would probably be Mr. Bruso, 5th grade, Reseda, CA.
There are other teachers who helped me get my surveying degree who are still very good friends. But I think it’s the ones you know early on that make the deepest impression on your life.
God Bless the Good Teachers in this world.
I had a lot of good teachers, but Senior DI SSgt Learman near the top of the heap.
I have favorites from different compartments of my life, but our police academy self-defense instructor, Arnie Schmeling, was truly an incredible man. He taught us ignorant police larvae how to survive. He was gnarly, strong and very serious with us but unbeknownst to us until after he was finished drilling survival tactics (especially mental attitudes toward survival), he had a huge heart. He also had an interesting pre-police history. He was apparently a really great police officer and I was really lucky to have benefited from his instruction; I think our class was one the last before he retired. My seat during classroom instruction was front and center and his spoke from a raised stage in his booming voice. I still remenber much of what he taught us! ?
Mary Massengale – She loved her work and loved all of her students bringing out the best in each. A petite woman with an enormous heart. At the end of the year we hated to leave her class room. She taught Jr. High Math and Biology.
Hans Indorf – another who loved teaching and the response from students. Brilliant, energetic and always willing to listen to students without belittling or demeaning as some prof’s did. He escaped Nazi Germany as a young man. Perhaps that’s why he had such a joy of Living. Taught comparative government.
James Joyce – Physics, made it understandable for all. A very kind man and the only one I ever saw in church on Sunday’s. I still remember a lot of what he taught because of the practical applications. A very decent, kind human being. I think he is the only one of the 3 still alive and still teaching.
Sorry that Anonymous was Eugenia. Wish I could remember the name of the student teacher who taught Calculus. Another Great. That was back in 1972 and my mind draws a blank.
Ann von der Mehden!!
Sister Eleanor
She was old and frail, I was in first grade. She came at me and I pushed back. I don’t remember the whole sequence of events, but she also taped Bobby Matthews to his chair. Apparently I hurt her, for that I am sorry. She was the bestest teacher!
Tom Day, high school science teacher. Made science interesting, a witty and intelligent man. Yeah, I had a crush. 🙂
The best teacher I ever had was my own stupidity.
My Mom (actually she was my stepmom; but she loved me as much as any mother could & I never once felt she wasn’t a mother to me in any way, even after she birthed her own children with my dad) … she taught me how to walk, talk, instilled in me manners & respect. she taught me how to read & write well before I went to first grade (we had no kindergarten). she taught me how to defend myself & stand up to those that meant me harm. she taught me how to dress myself, tie my shoes, & clean up after myself. also taught me how to use a knife when I would have to cut her a switch so she could beat my rear end with it when I deserved punishment 🙂
My Dad … taught me to respect women, help out those less fortunate & always family first …. & he taught me how to switch-hit by the age of four, ’cause Mickey Mantle could. taught me how to ride a bike & drive a car. taught me not to pick on other kids (especially my little brothers) because I wouldn’t want others to pick on me. he was a full-time policeman & part-time barber & only had to use the razor strop on me twice that I can remember 😉 he also taught me how to shine shoes, boots, holsters, Sam Brown belts, & polish brass (especially uniform buttons & bullets) & how to change a tire & pump gas & how to swim & dive.
Grandma Bessie … taught me the love & pure joy of living each day. she taught me how to play musical instruments & sing … especially hymns in church. she taught me how to cook, carve a pumkin, pick the best apples & cherries out of the trees to bake delicious pies. She taught me how to tie a tie, shuck corn, peel apples & potatoes.
Grandad … taught me to respect all people, the importance of charity, how to be a gentleman, strop a straight razor & shave, how to patch a tire, push a mower, paint a fence. he also taught me the rewards of the capitalist system by giving me my first job, sweeping the floor in his barber shop for a quarter a day.
Great-Grandad … taught me how to put an edge on a knife sharp enough to shave a mouse’s tit (a saying of his; always wondered if he ever tried it), curry, saddle & ride a horse, skin a coon, make a whistle out of a poplar branch, tell tall tales, how to care for leather (baseball gloves, boots & shoes & saddles), how to tell by the moon phases when to butcher a hog, when to can certain fruits & vegetables, when to plow, when to bale hay, when to bring in the animals for the winter (he swore by the Farmer’s Almanac), how to use a hammer & a saw, how to straighten out old bent nails so you could use them again, make a bird house, how to smoke a cigar & laugh like you just heard the funniest story in your life
There are a lot of great posts here, but ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ’s is beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your loved ones.
1961/62, Wiesbaden, Germany, HH Arnold HS- Mrs. Hirsch. Amazing teacher.
Coaches Randy Cooper and Wes Ferrell at Seacrest HS in Delray Beach, FL, 1963-5 and Coach Doug Dickey at Univ. of Florida, 1970.