Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
As student? She was not my teacher. As a student she was the only “lay” member of staff at my catholic school. She taught geography. I was gifted in music. She played the trumpet but I didn’t know that then!
Years and years later she become my mentor, my support, my beloved friend. Committed to social justice. Rampant unionist! Pragmatic.
The most brilliant teacher I ever had.
Her final days were as a resident in the aged care facility. My son worked there. There is a story behind that connection that changed my direction in my own teaching career. Ironically it brought me right back to her eventually!
Stoic, pragmatic, strong – ” strength in difficulty” the motto of the school I met her in 1967!
On my last visit to her, when she was very close to death, I sang to her – the Irish Lullaby. She seemed to be totally unaware of my presence. I held her hand. She worked her hand out from under her tightly tucked sheet and sang ” too-ra-loo-ra” back.
There is so much more to being a teacher than passing on curriculum.
I loved and respected her. She loved and respected me
Confessions of a Free Range Prolapsed Catholic 
Leave a comment