Celebrating Teachers

Mr. Richard Shafer was a wonderful human being, and he was an awesome teacher. Without question, Mr. Shafer was one of the most demanding and rewarding teachers I was lucky enough to experience throughout my formal education. During Mr. Shafer's 10th grade English class as well as through my work behind the scenes during the plays, I finally learned that doing and being your best was not only possible, it was expected. Nothing less than that would do, and I still prize the commendation cards that I earned from Mr. Shafer for those reasons. I had managed to drift through lots of class time before that without being pushed or pushing myself to work that hard. I know that I was able to share some of those same high expectations with my own middle and high school students throughout my teaching career, and I also set those same high standards for my four sons. I am so grateful that I had such a wonderful example of fine teaching to follow. I know that I was never so well organized or so completely well prepared as Mr. Shafer always was when he came to class, but I really tried. Years after I had them in class, many of my own students admitted that even though they thought I was terribly demanding when I taught them, they were finally mature enough to appreciate what I had tried to do, and that they really did appreciate my efforts. Lo and behold, I actually had expected them to learn and to be able to share their knowledge about the material covered in class. I had demanded that they think critically and well, learn and apply English grammar really well, write really well, and speak English very well, even on their feet during those dreaded public speaking assignments. It is part of the same legacy Mr. Shafer gave to me, and I am delighted to have been able pass it on. Mr. Shafer will always be an invaluable part of my University High School life and beyond.