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August 22, 2005
Thanks Mr. Gus!
School is almost back in session. While lots of articles are turning to buying the best supplies or getting the best laptop for your kid, I think it's important to remember some of the great teachers we have teaching our kids, and to remember those that influenced us as we were growing up.
Do you remember your best teacher? Do you remember one that had a dramatic influence on your life, or your education? Did one teacher make a difference for you? Please comment and tell your story about them here...
I had several:
Don Gustafson was my High School music (voice) teacher. Mr. Gus had a passion for teaching kids how to sing, and he took me, a drummer all my life, and turned me into a first tenor in my 12th grade year. Don was so passionate, and knew his stuff so well, that he was able to teach me to sing well enough to get me accepted into college on my singing voice (trust me, my GRADES had nothing to do with it). I hear Mr. Gus is still with us, and I hope he's doing well. Mr. Gus - I think of you and those lunches in your classroom to this day.
Another music teacher I had (sensing a theme?) that is no longer with us, was my 9th grade Band Teacher, who later became the band instructor at Canoga Park High - His name was Ivan Eugenio. Ivan lost his life to cancer many years ago, but Ivan taught us and treated us as adults, even when we were 14 & 15. He wanted us to be passionate about music, about the fundamentals, about the feel of what jazz should feel like when it's played. He would be firm, but not authoritarian. Bright, funny, compassionate and charming, I will never forget my last day of junior high, when he was saying goodbye to his band, and he stopped and hugged me - My BAND teacher. Ivan was the man - thanks for being my friend, my mentor and my teacher. Rest in peace.
Mr. Chapin, Mr. Ehlers, Diane Essert (I remember you!) at Moorpark College - thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
While I am at it - Many thanks to the following teachers at Knolls - Mrs. Weiss, Mrs White, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Clark & Mrs. Joyce - We appreciate all of your support of our kids...
When you drop your kids off at school next week - remember to thank their teacher - and don't forget to somehow, thank your own.
Share your stories...
Tim Keaney
Comments
Hello Tim
This is Ivan's wife. Was he your teacher at Lawerence MS? I an still in Chatsworth and a teacher a Portola Middle school. I seem to remember the students by the instrument that they played I believe you were a brass player.
I decided to type in Ivan's name and you came up.
Get in touch
Ms E
Thanks, Mr. Wieczorek, for helping me succeed in math and in life!
Posted by: Amanda at June 30, 2006 05:56 PMHey Tim
Some Nostalgia of Chatsworth has been dropped in my hands. choir Robes were going to be dumped, but before that happens do you know if anyone would like to support the band and buy one?
We have spats also and choir music
Let me know
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa Yee Eugenio at September 28, 2006 05:11 PM
I have been fortunate to have a lot of very good teachers:
Hillside Jr. High (now middle school)
1. Dr. Thompson: American/World History (I was fortunate to go to Europe with Dr. Thompson and a group of people from my class. It was one of the greatest experiences in my life)
2.Ms. Reed Taught me to take my own development seriously.
3.Mrs. Kaye taught the tragedy that was the Holocaust.
4. Mr Dicus taught me to work hard and take pride in my talents.
Mrs. Bickford challenged me to think about creation and evolution.
Simi High School
1. Mr. Bradshaw taught me the fundamentals of anything are key to growing.
2. Mr. Aurand taught me that hustle is more important than raw talent.
3. Mr. Collins taught me their was two sides to every issue and registered me to vote when I was 18.
4. Mr. Strong taught me that even if you stink at something like chemistry, which I did, you can always try and put a good face on things.
Moorpark College
Dr. Miller - Taught me to think about world problems.
Dr. Brown - Taught me the power of world events is repeating and had faith in me to tutor his students.
Dr. Hopkins - Taught me about different approaches to civil equality throughout American history.
University of Arizona
Dr. Pearson - taught me that changes in the land effect economic security.
Dr. Wilson - taught me about third world food security and how rich nations and poor nations do business.
California Lutheran University
Dr. Gooch - Taught me how to use different models to develop public policy. He also taught me to have the faith to trust my instincts.
Dr. Hirsch (City Attorney of Simi Valley) - taught me to take the law and its effects on public policy seriously. He also taught me how federal law effects local ordinances.
Thank you teachers... I don't know where I'd be without you all.
Scott
Posted by: Scott Blough at August 24, 2005 07:01 PM