Letter to My Teacher

Dear Mr. O'Beirn,

Do you remember the quiet, studious girl in your 8th grade class, back in 1968? The one who would rather read a book from the school library during lunch hour than go outside?

You never knew me in grade school, but my interest in writing had already begun. My fourth grade teacher reported: "I'm pleased to see Maria enjoys writing poems at home." A sixth grade teacher commented: "Possesses a good knowledge of words. Good thought is shown in written expression. Adds much to English class with her unique and colourful stories."

Then came 8th grade, and I remember your reputation preceded you. Other students would commiserate and whisper in sympathy, "You got Mr. O'Beirn?" And they would shake their head and glance sideways at you, glad they were in someone else's class.

You were a strict, elderly man, close to retirement, and prone to occasional explosions of temper at unruly students. Most of the class was frightened of you. Some of your disciplinary methods would not be tolerated in today's educational system, but back then it was accepted as normal. I remember the dreaded leather strap in the top drawer of your desk, which you used occasionally on the hands of a few students who were disrespectful or offensive. You didn't think we knew about the small bottle of whiskey in your desk, but we did. We were too scared to tell anyone that you drank it out of a coffee mug when you ate your lunch at your desk.

Despite your human downfalls, you were a capable teacher who instilled good work habits. Your classroom was always one of the top academic ones, as you did not tolerate indifference or laziness. We were there to learn, and learn we did. Beneath your rough and gruff exterior was someone who saw our potential and coaxed it along. It's amazing what a little encouragement can do for a student's self esteem. To this day I am guided by lessons learned and remembered.

Do you recall what you wrote in my final report card that year? It said: "Although you are so quiet, you have done some excellent dramatic projects for the year. You show great talent in writing scripts, plays, poetry and song and I feel you should explore these avenues more fully." I was never more proud. Verbosity and I never got along too well, but the written word and I seemed to mesh.

Over the years, many successful writing ventures followed as I was empowered by the pen.

Mr. O'Beirn, although you are long gone from this world, I still think of the effect you had on my life. You always challenged us to climb to a higher level, and incorporated work ethics with tenacity, traits that would serve us well as we entered adulthood.

Teaching comes from within, and learning happens because the heart listens. My heart heard you, loud and clear.

With gratitude,

Maria Harden

Story ID:	161
Written by:	Maria Harden (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Letter
Location:	Atikokan Ontario Canada
Year:	1968
Person:	John O'Beirn