Today a co-worker was discussing teachers and made the comment that he "never had any bad teachers" and always had a good relationship with them.

For the most part, I think my experiences with teachers were always quite positive throughout my school years and even though sometimes I tended to be the smart-guy making jokes in the class, I usually didn't get in any real trouble for it. 

Today I received information that my former high school principal passed away before his time -- I received additional background information via email that makes this an especially sad/tragic case. 

Now, I haven't seen him in 12 years but he was certainly someone who made an impression.  With his tall stature and deep voice, he could be overwhelming to a student.  And, since students can always come up with "creative" names to call their teachers, our nickname for him was "Lurch."  But when you got to know him he really cared about the students, was friendly, and had a sense of humor.  I can still remember some specific interactions I had with him throughout high school:

  • He always taught students to greet people properly and shake hands like adults.  He did treat us like adults if we acted as such.  Anyway, I remember him saying you should shake hands "crotch to crotch" meaning that when you shake someone's hand the "crotch" between your thumb and pointer finger should meet their's.
  • He explained to me what the phrase "brownnose" really meant when I (as editor) let the word get published in the school newspaper.  I didn't really know this before then.
  • He told me once when he thought I just wasn't doing as well at school as he thought I could.  Mind you, I already had straight A's but he was always challenging us to do better if he thought we could.
  • He wrote so many letters of recommendations for me to various colleges and universities (because I applied to quite a few).  Although one time he did say -- perhaps you should ask your parents if they actually have the money to send you to some of these places!  [He was probably right].
  • He laughed, and told me I handled the situation like a great actor, when -- during a school play -- I basically lost my pants in front of the entire audience.

As a freshman you were likely to come in a little intimidated by him, but by the time you were a senior you really got to understand him. 

With all that being said, it makes you think about how you treat people -- and the difference you can make in other's lives -- because you never know when they might be gone. 

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis