A Tribute to Teachers

In a rare moment of nostalgia I was thinking today about the teachers I had at Rosslyn. We all definitely have our favorites, and I most certainly have my “un” favorites so to speak. In fact, maybe that will be the topic of my next rant. For now, I’ll keep it positive. What came to mind are four different teachers for four very different reasons. I guess each of them were responsible for some sort of development. (as I write this more come to mind – I hate to leave anyone off but at some point you can’t have a list of your 40 favorite teachers growing up because what’s the “honor” in that?)

1. Loretta Wideman (Miss Wideman) – I never had Loretta (I can call her that because we met up with each other as adults and now have a mature relationship) as a teacher of one of the so called “main” subjects. She was my yearbook teacher and as many other Rosslynites can attest – she revolutionized the yearbook. Case in point – when I first got there they had some 3rd grader sketch a picture which became the yearbook cover – tacky tacky tacky. Not only that but after my sister left the “nest” I was a bit lost. Trying to figure out where I fit, Miss Wideman became a sort of mentor. I spent the night at her house, went to the pool with her, worked out with her – even went on a date with some American guys visiting from Saudi Arabia – thrilling for a 17 year old. It’s a huge testament to me to have someone take time out of their adult life to hang out with an immature 17 year old with a severe attitude. So, thank you Miss Wideman – Loretta – for a friendship that continues to this day.

2. Joni Middleton (Miss Middleton) – I don’t quite recall the year Miss Middleton came to Rosslyn. I do recall having British Literature and Hermeneutics with her. To this day I have extremely fond memories of Brit Lit. I finally found it enjoyable to read and discuss poetry as her passion for the topic was completely contagious. As for Hermeneutics, I have Miss Middleton to thank for the fact that I can now quite forcefully look at someone and say “you are TOTALLY taking that verse out of context – you need to do some exegesis and fast”. Lastly, I have the memory of sitting on the floor in Miss Middleton’s house drinking tea and reciting the entire book of Song of Solomon from memory – and I’m pretty sure I said part of it with a dramatic flare (that was our Bible final exam). So, thank you Miss Middleton for helping turn me into a menace to theologians everywhere.

3. Mr. Miller – What list of Rosslyn teachers would be complete without the infamous Mr. Miller? I remember my first week at school coming home and telling my mother about this terribly mean teacher who wanted us to learn…MUSIC!!! My mother went marching into Mr. Miller’s classroom. My sister and I waited outside with sly smiles on our faces waiting for my mother to emerge victorious in her battle with the unreasonable Mr. Miller. What ended up happening? My mom and Mr. Miller became friends and for as long as I can remember – sang together with the Nairobi Conservatory. I love the passion Mr. Miller had for music and the fact that he fought to make the arts as important at Rosslyn as sports. I cannot imagine my life without music and have sweet memories of “dancing” to classical music in his music class.

4. Mr. Lynn – I’m not sure when Mr. Lynn came to Rosslyn. All I know is it was my senior year and I still needed an art credit. I dreaded taking art as my last experience with a Rosslyn art teacher was really quite bad – I will not say any names but if anyone ever took a class with a woman who would holler out “praise the Lord” in the middle of class for NO REASON whatsoever – you know of whom I speak. Mr. Lynn was fabulous. He was not about rules or coloring within the lines when it came to art. He let me experiment and did not judge based on a preconceived idea of what the final product should look like. His free spirit and buck the status quo attitude was refreshing in an environment so immersed in rules and restrictions. It restored my faith art. Sadly, Mr. Lynn did not last long – a true travesty for the Rosslyn students to follow.

That’s it folks. There were great teachers there – but in all only a select few truly added substance to who I am today.