Ever wonder about a teacher who influenced you?
Just after the 1st of January I received a surprise email forwarded by a friend of my family. It was from my high school art teacher, Bruce Aydelotte. Attached to the email was a picture of the two of us from 38 years ago. In the photo Mr. Aydelotte is demonstrating pen and ink and I was standing next to him wearing one of my favorite outfits, a Mondrian dress. I am sure those of you who went to high school during that era remember those dresses. 
Don’t I wish I still had that dress today! I loved it. And everyone liked Mr. Aydelotte. He was young and could relate to students, he was good looking and his class was interesting and fun. Everyone was engaged and focused in their learning. Regardless of whether students had Mr. Aydelotte as a teacher or not, they all knew him because he drove a really cool Porsche. When he left the high school at the end of my sophomore year it was a surprise and a disappointment to many of us.
Needless to say, an email from him contributed to the start of my happy new year and has given us a chance to catch up on the years since 1970. We’ve exchanged emails, Bruce has sent pictures of him, his family, his visits to Maine, and his cars. When I opened a picture of him with his two beautiful daughters in front of his 65th birthday cake, I realized that I’ve aged. (Imagine?!) He explained that he has had numerous old cars over the years and enjoys going to car shows. After leaving teaching he took a variety of paths, one was to graduate school. It turns out he did his masters program where I did my undergraduate degree and was there during the same time. He returned to education as a guidance counselor.
How many of you have a teacher you think about but have no idea how to get in touch or even know if the person is still alive? In my first email to him I mentioned how I often asked students if they’ve thanked the teachers who have meant a lot to them, the teachers who have influenced them in a career or personal choice, the ones who had or still do support them? Here, I had that opportunity to walk down memory lane and thank Mr. Aydelotte for teaching me, not just about art, but about life. I know that each of you have taught so much more than techniques and skills, but also about life. I thanked him for sharing his knowledge of calligraphy, something I still love. In some small way by thanking Mr. Aydelotte I have reached out to other teachers. Mr. Aydelotte lives near where I grew up so hopefully when I visit relatives we’ll have a chance to get together.
I realize this opportunity would never have happened if it wasn’t for technology. We are fortunate to be Maine educators with the technology we have. So, how about you? If you are like me and don’t live near where you grew up or don’t see your teachers, consider locating them so you also can, THANK A TEACHER!
