A tribute to a few good teachers.

I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Back then teaching wasn't taken seriously as a profession. At least not by most people. School was a place where you were filed away for 7 hours and 45 minutes each day.

If you were lucky you had a teacher that was just killing time and left you alone for the most part.

If you were unlucky you had a sadistic troll that hated her job and life and wanted to make sure you felt it.


I won't go into the trolls today. Too many.

I was extremely fortunate to have a few good teachers that took the time to teach, mentor, advise and give the occasional reach around...Oops sorry that was Catholic school..

Mr Hicks was my 8th grade history teacher. He was a retired secret service agent for Richard Nixon. He challenged his students and made things interesting. He valued hard work and would stick up for someone being treated unfairly. A rare individual indeed.

Mr Griffin was a Navy pilot in the Korean war. He was matter of fact, direct and no bullshit.He told good stories and kicked asses when he needed to. He believed in doing everything 100% . He was a good teacher and a great person.

Mr Lampman was a Shop teacher who took special interest in helping his kids who were mostly poor and troubled. I was in his class because I wanted to learn how to do woodworking not for being a retard. If I didn't have the money to pay for materials he would loan it to me or he would trade me for it. I was able to trade an old RCBS reloader for ebony to make some pistol grips and a display case. He was also a gun collector and shooter. He even took me to the range one time. I was extremely fortunate to have him as a mentor during my teenage years.

Mrs Berg was my Senior year English literature teacher. This lady made a potentially snore inducing class interesting. If it wasn't for her I would have had a lot of trouble in college. I credit her for my love of reading and history. How many kids can say they looked forward to English class?

Mr Allison was a strange looking man. He was about 6 foot 6 weighed about 115 Lbs He had the posture and countenence of a vulture. Quite a scary sight. He was also queer as a three dollar bill. This didn't stop him from being one hell of a teacher. Our entire grade was based on getting up in front of the class and giving speeches on whatever topic he pulled out of the newspaper.

He was old as fuck and had worked in the fledgling U.N. in the late 40's He was a staunch anti-communist, anti-despot and was Pro Israel. This man had enough pull to get Chinese Soldiers, Nicaraguan politicos and a British Special forces commander to come talk to our class.

I hope my kids are as lucky as I was .