Did 'Duke' teach you?
Miss Duke is retiring (!)
Now's a great chance to thank her for what she taught you by sharing what she did. Whether you were at Dayton or Johnson (or somewhere else) -- and whether she was your teacher, advisor, coach or confidante -- tell us what Duke taught you.
With your comment, please mention which year you graduated (e.g., Mat Zucker, Dayton '88) and be sure to pass along to friends and other classmates.
And shhh...we're not telling her until closer to her retirement day in late June 2006.
posted by mat zucker @ 5:45 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Duke taught me that when you're on a class trip in Italy and with your girlfriend unsupervised in a hotel room, the door must remain open and both people must have at least one foot on the floor. Unless, of course, you want to be sent home before seeing the Pope on Easter Sunday.
Teacher. Counselor. Can-do rabble-rouser.
With Miss Duke, there always was an infectious optimism to everything being possible. She taught me how to channel my energy and ideas into making an impact. Whether it was bringing back Fall Festival from the dead, convincing the Regional Board of Ed to eliminate senior final exams, or getting an 4.0 in her “Barbarism to Humanism” and “Revolution” classes (possibly the two most compelling courses I took in those four years), she gave you the confidence and tools to pull it off.
Duke also taught me how to challenge authority and the status quo -- especially from within. What was particular to her approach, however, was wisdom in when and how best to act. She would be highly selective in what challenges with the ‘grown-ups’ to take on and how best to tackle them and persevere. There was maturity in it, even if we were being silly or rebellious.
I also remember all the roles she was for me… unofficially. For example, Duke wasn’t my English teacher, but she taught me to write persuasively (something that turned out to my career!). She wasn’t the Dayton Journal Editor, but it’s from her I learned to edit ruthlessly. Duke wasn’t the student council advisor, but she was my constant resource for advice, especially when I’d get myself into trouble.
There are people whose opinion – and laughter – you seek out. If you’re lucky, it’s your history teacher.
p.s. I pray my grammar above is half-way decent
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