Mr. Uebel was one of my favorite teachers at Jefferson Jr. High and I desperately wanted to impress him. He inspired me and challenged me in ways I remember to this day. I was lucky enough to have several remarkable teachers – among them, Jerry Farrington (Wilcox High School), Bill Froug (UCLA) and Shelly Lowenkopf (USC). I also had one terrible teacher whose last name rhymed with “cruel” (in third grade). In retrospect, what made her “cruel” was her total lack of regard for me. I was just another kid in her class which was unacceptable.
I worked hard – especially for teachers I admired – to be singled out as special. While it’s entirely possible they saw nothing noteworthy about me at all, they convinced me they thought I had something, which was more than enough to motivate an approval junkie like myself.
Maybe that’s the trick to motivating most people. Who doesn’t want to feel special? Who isn’t willing to go the extra mile for somebody who sees something extraordinary in them? Nobody I know receives as much attention and validation as they need. It’s not polite to ask for it (and if you do, it ruins whatever you get) but I suspect most people thirst for appreciation. The trouble is, outside of academia, it’s easy to get out of the habit of offering it. I’m going to make an effort to stop thinking about myself long enough to make a habit of giving it. It’s the least I can do, considering how much has been given to me.
Sandra Hegwood April 8, 2018 at 11:28 am
I LOVE this one!! That’s all I can say about it.
skywhys April 9, 2018 at 3:49 am
Thank you! That’s enough to make my day.
Dwight Collins April 8, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Jefferson Jr. High….WOW!Still have afew friends from there…
skywhys April 9, 2018 at 3:49 am
Did we get yearbooks from Jr. High? If we did, mine disappeared years ago. It’s sad that Jefferson Jr. High disappeared as well.
Rebecca LaRussa April 8, 2018 at 7:51 pm
I disliked, Mr. Uebel, immensely. Do you remember the time he pulled Jack Good early into class? When we went in they argued and then we had to write down what happened? I loved Mrs. Berg, but
she was a tough one “to pat you on the back”.
skywhys April 9, 2018 at 3:48 am
Interesting what we remember and forget. I don’t recall the Jack Good incident at all (I do rememberJack Good) – maybe I was absent that day. And I’m drawing a complete blank on Mrs.Berg too.
Bob Widding April 10, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Thank you for honoring three of your favorite teachers:
Jerry Farrington (Wilcox High School),
Bill Froug (UCLA) and
Shelly Lowenkopf (USC).
In reading your remarks, I am reminded of this from the late William Arthur Ward:
“The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.”
There are plenty of teachers in the 1-3 class. Rare are those of the 4th. That your life has crossed paths with three educators – that is, those who inspire – is extraordinary. It speaks volumes of them as being teachers of the highest caliber. Moreover, it speaks well of the student who recognizes, both in principle and practice, this outstanding quality in a mentor.
Thanks again, Kathleen.
skywhys April 12, 2018 at 1:06 am
Bob, thank you so much for your very thoughtful comment about my blog. I really like the quote you shared. It was very meaningful to me.
Bob Widding August 20, 2018 at 2:11 pm
You’re welcome; thank you for your kind words. (My apology for the delay.) 🙂