Maybe I should see this movie sometime...
posted @ 2:11 PM

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Saturday, May 24, 2003
My small tribute to a teacher that has made more than a difference in my life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.


This is to have succeded."



Mr. Wade has done each of these things.

To laugh often and much: It's hard for me to think of a person that laughs more than Mr. Wade. If I ever was in a bad mood, time with Mr. Wade could make me forget for the moment whatever problems I was having and just laugh. Even if the joke is at my expense (a quite common occurance), Mr. Wade's laughter and jokes have made him more than a teacher that teaches a lesson, they've made him someone how will always put a smile on my face and on the face's of all those around him.

To win the respect of intellegent people: Whether it be the debate community, the kids in his room in the morning, other teachers, or his AP kids, Mr. Wade is respected by the intellegent. Mr. Wade never fails to enlighten us on Kierkegaard's philosophy, the world of Shakespeare, and the value of music. Few teachers have taught me what Mr. Wade has taught me. He's opened up ways of thought that I'd never dream of. He teaches tolerance and love for others, and actually teaches it. Mr. Wade is a man to be respected by anyone of intellegence.

To appreciate beauty: Just look at his room. Look at his music collection. Not only does Mr. Wade appreciate the beauty of art (in every form) he appreciates the beauty in people. This is one teacher that always finds the beauty in each student, and helps that student achieve their potential. For me it was debate, so it's more direct to me as he is the debate coach. For others it's art, and he does his part in encouraging them by a encouraging comment, or putting a photocopy of their artwork on his wall.
That last one covered To find the best in others.

To leave the world a bit better: I cannot even begin to imagine all the ways in which Mr. Wade has touch other's lives. I know he's touched mine, help me become a better person. I know he's touched my friends lives. And he's been teaching longer than I've been alive. Mr. Wade has left the world better, by giving students a teacher that teaches them what's important, teaches them to love literature, to love learning.

To know one life has breathed easier because you have lived: Once again, I cannot fathom how many lives Mr. Wade has made easier. I know mine is one of them. As a debate coach, you introduced me to an activity that has changed my life. My future carrer plans, my choice of college, my friends have all been shaped my an activity that you taught me to love. As a teacher, you have taught me to love literature. Shakespeare is no longer junk to me, it's beauty and genius. I know if any other teacher taught me Heart of Darkness I would have hated it, instead it is one of my favorite books I've ever read (and I've read a lot). You taught me to look past the words on a page and find the meaning in them, the elegance of them. As a person, you've made me interested in Orson Scott Card and Dar Williams. You've always been there if I've had a question on any subject, however stupid. You've told me when I'm being stupid, you've told me when I've slacked. You've told me when I succeeded. I don't know about making my life easier, but you've help me make my life a life I want to live. Thank you.
posted @ 6:54 PM