We all have a favourite teacher. A teacher, who in our lives as students has really inspired us, coached us, motivated us, encouraged us to be our best version of ourselves. I have that one teacher. My grade 12 and 13 World Issues teacher, Mr. Horner. He was a person who was not much to look at. A smallish man with large, black, thick coke bottle glasses that engulfed his small face and head, thinning hair (if any at all), and a round pudgy body. All I remember is his little beady eyes that looked out at you through his super thick black rimmed glasses, staring you down happily while sitting in front of him in Geography class. The one endearing physical feature that stood out to me each day about Mr. Horner was his permasmile. That man was always smiling and also getting super excited about something that he was teaching that day.
He was my one and only teacher who taught with passion, right from the heart. A teacher who shared his knowledge from his photographic memory (no joke) like an encyclopedia each and every day. His boundless energy was evident every class as he would write with great flourish and with great flair using only white chalk on the blackboard with such gusto that the chalk would at times fly right out his hand after his final enthusiastic point about the world was made. There would literally be white chalk littered and scattered throughout the classroom floor by the end of all his lectures. And lectures they were! That was a new term to me, that was more common in university lecture halls as a university student a couple of years later, but looking back, that is exactly what Mr. Horner provided. Great, vivacious, animated, vigorous and insightful lectures that poured out of him like the genius that he was in the world around us. A beautiful, insightful lecture was given to us like an early birthday present each and every day in his classroom. Furthermore, several times a week, Mr. Horner would suddenly leap onto his desk like a gymnast making the perfect two foot landing raising his hands triumphantly in the air to make his final point with jubilation and victory. He was the master of engagement in my opinion. I was hooked!
It was rumoured that Mr. Horner was in fact a genius in real life. The rumour told us that he graduated top of his class from University of Toronto in the 1960’s, he did indeed have a photographic memory, he was a self-made millionaire, and that he chose to teach high school students because he enjoyed it so much. To this day, I don’t know if some or all of those rumours were correct but having sat in his class for two years in a row, I don’t doubt any of them. He was the perfect most animated teacher I have ever had and to this day have ever come across. Period. There was no one like him in my high school.
I was so inspired by his energy and in my opinion, his great lectures that I decided to put more time in studying for his tests and final exams at the end of the term each year. His two classes alone on my high school transcript have my highest grades achieved, 98% in grade 12 and 97% in grade 13. Whew-wee! What can I say? The man inspired me and got my educational juices flowing. In grade 13, I scored the highest mark in the final exam out of all his classes, 99%. I still remember his comment at the top of my exam paper in his flowery cursive handwriting. He wrote, “Simply Spectacular!” I felt incredibly proud that a genius like himself was applauding my efforts. I am smiling as I type these words, remembering that wonderful moment between Mr. Horner and myself, 33 years ago. I am actually surprised I didn't major in Geography in University with amazing grades such as those. Maybe I missed my first calling in life?
Mr. Horner never married. He dedicated himself to his job and his students. I often wondered what his early years of his life were like? What did he think of uni life as a genius? What did he learn as a young adult that he could pass on to us? Was it difficult for him to be so smart in this world? Why did he really choose teaching in the end? You see, when I went to high school, it was not common then for teachers to share their personal lives with their students like it is today. I mean I am open book literally with my students most of the time. I do remember though, Mr. Horner saying how much he loved being with us in the classroom and how we as his students did inspire him to keep teaching (even if he didn’t have to financially). Whenever a bold, male student would ask him of his millionaire status, he would graciously deflect the question, and smile. His smile told us it could be true but he would never elaborate. You see, Mr. Horner was a gentleman who treated us as equals. And as equals, we don’t talk about money. That is what I thought anyway!
Now, 33 years after leaving high school and in my 25th year as a teacher myself, I find myself reminiscing about the past. My past time as a student, my past time as a young teacher. I often think about Mr. Horner and wonder what in fact happened to him since my graduation date? If I was a more conscientious, mature student back then, I would have liked to keep in contact with the teacher that truly was my number one, my inspiration, maybe the spark that eventually led me into the teaching profession. I have a lot to tell him and a lot to thank him for.
In the end, I do believe that Mr. Horner gave it, his teaching…his all, each school day. He never slacked off. He was a pro. That is what I will remember now and for my remaining days as a teacher. Always be the pro. Always strive to be your best. Always give your best. Live each day as it is your last. Mr. Horner taught me all that. For those lessons, I will be eternally grateful to him.
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