A look at a teacher I had 48 years ago coming full-circle, after-the-jump ...
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A favorite concept of mine is completing-the-circle … that life is often not linear, but that of a circle. My parents spoke of the Wheel of Life — not in its Buddhist origin, but that death was a part of life (and not simply due to an afterlife). That’s why I’m delighted with a recent moment in my family, as it goes back to a time in my life from forty-eight years ago.
I have written fondly about the Jesuit high school I attended, as it represented a new lease on life for me (after a horrible junior high school experience). And among the faculty members it was (surprisingly) the religion department that was my favorite. These were pass-fail, no tests/term paper courses, and little time in class was about religious doctrine. Instead, ethics was more the norm, and in the early 1970’s — civil rights, Vietnam and Watergate were among the class discussions.
Beyond that, it was the teachers who were quite personable. Most were in their mid-20’s (usually their first teaching post) who were often former seminarians or novitiates. They would also join us at recess, shooting hoops or just having coffee in the cafeteria. Two of them had this “theory” about lifting the other with snow shovels, which there was a famous photo of them (in a later yearbook).
Many would go on to bigger posts (surely at higher salaries) in the better-off school districts, or at the local community college. A few years later, I ran into one of them (John Anderson) in Manhattan, who handed me his business card. It was at a white-shoe law firm (Mudge, Rose) … which collapsed in 1995.
Among them was a twenty-six year-old teacher named Gerry Seifert. Not only did he run an engaging class, but was also a part-owner of the Dock’s End Pub — and as 18 year-olds could drink, it was a popular place. Thus, for my graduating class of 1974: even if you didn’t have him as a teacher, you may have known him as a publican. I recall a class where a student (perhaps from a family of modest means) asked Gerry in class: why not simply buy from a liquor store? And (in a religion class, no less) Gerry extolled the virtues of camaraderie, hearing music and having staff to watch for intoxication. My brother Pat was also a student of his, next year.
Fast-forward forty-five years to 2019, writing this OpEd in my hometown paper, which my classmates (on our dedicated Facebook page) were glad to read.
In it, I saw he now taught psychology at St. Joseph’s College — the Long Island suburban campus of its flagship in Brooklyn — yet otherwise forgot about it.
Later, my niece Rebecca became a student there — and I asked my sister Marilyn to have her look-him-up, at the very least. “Becca blew-me-off over it” was the reply ... (kids can be that way, ya know?) ... so once again, I forgot all about it.
Then this past spring semester: my sister told me that Rebecca (now age twenty-one) would be taking a psych class from him.
At semester’s end, she showed us this evaluation on a paper she submitted. And while proud she did well: I’m touched that Gerry (indirectly) referenced myself and my brother in the last sentence. Forty-eight years on: completing the circle.
And now, a short song to mark the occasion.
Now, on to Top Comments:
From CameronProf:
In the diary by nancyjones about seeking a return to attending church services - a great analysis and brief write-up on the history of the Jewish people, made by Mercy Ormont.
Highlighted by elenacarlena:
In the front-page story about another take on religion — this comment, made by blue aardvark.
And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the front-page story about Wells Fargo bank— a frequent contestant in my “Who Lost the Week ?!?!?” poll — among many worthy anecdotes of frustrated former customers, pasadena beggar has a rather apt analogy.
Next - enjoy jotter's wonderful (and now eternal) *PictureQuilt™* below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment featuring that photo.
TOP PHOTOSMay 18th, 2022
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And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid mik ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
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