2023

After a few months of medical misadventures, I’m happy to report a near complete return to normality. The experiences did provide me an opportunity to reflect on many past experiences, one being the profound effect several of my former Gilman teachers had on my future development. Roy Barker, in his dynamic way, enabling me to love Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and committing Shelley’s sonnet, “Ozymandias” to lifelong memory; Ludlow Baldwin’s enthusiasm in describing Teddy Roosevelt; Richard O’Brien’s descriptions of life in France making me want to move there; Fred Williams in his biology class bringing amoeba and other microscopic creatures to life. They and many others shared one thing in common: unbridled love for their subject matter and an infectious enthusiasm. These qualities seem to define an effective teacher. We are so blessed to have learned from them.