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I went to a Waldorf school, so we had the same main teacher from first through eighth grade. He had terrible nicotine breath, an explosive temper, and a deep sonorous voice that riveted everyone within hearing range. He was also the most fantastic teacher ever. He would don a bizarre fishing vest and safari hat every time we had a field-trip, and once got pulled over for speeding with a van full of awe-struck eighth-graders. He was at my college graduation last week, in an Englishman's colonial seersucker suit and Panama hat. Some things never change.

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I had a very special 8th grade language arts teacher. I loved to write and would spend hours on each writing assignment. One day Ms. Hart asked me to stay after class. I panicked. Only kids who've done something wrong are asked to stay after, I thought. I sat down by her desk and she pulled out my writing assignment. Maybe she hated my assignment and is flunking me, I thought. I'll never forget what she said next: "I just wanted to keep you after class to tell you how much I love your writing. You're going to be a great writer someday." To hear my teacher tell me with such conviction that I would make something of my love for writing meant the world to me. Thanks for going out of your way, Ms. Hart.

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In 9th grade I had Mr. Campbell.  He had taught my older sister so I already knew he the assignments were difficult, there were at least two tests a week, and he was a hard grader.  I entered the classroom expecting the worst, but I got the best.  Although it was a lot of work, there wasn't any busy work and learned not to fear writing a long essay.  He gave tests were hard but useful (he made us take tests about Latin root-words, which became very handy when trying to figure out what an unknown word means).  He was also a hard grader, but he always gave useful comments on how to improve.  I have had many amazing teachers (just to touch on a few: Mrs. Caluya, Mrs. Vandeline, and Mrs. Sullivan).  But I feared and came to appreciate Mr. Campbell the most.

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Realtionships are the most important part of connecting with students. I recently heard from a former student who posted my maiden name on his website and asked that someone forward his information to me. I was thrilled to find out that I inspired a prolific career of writing and drama. My "student"is now an accomplished adult with a novel, several screen plays and other productions in his repertoire. How wonderful it was to hear from someone I helped many years ago!! Teachers rarely hear about how they affected others!!

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