Okay, so you guys already know that since I found all of my missing scrapbooks and pictures and such from high school, I’ve been on a nostalgia high. Unlike a lot of people, I realize, I actually liked high school. Well, as much as anyone can. I still had nightmares for YEARS (seriously…no hyperbole here, I had actual recurring nightmares) about learning I hadn’t actually gotten enough credits to graduate and I had to go back to high school. This pretty much ended when I became a teacher at my alma mater. The nightmare had come true…only I didn’t have to wear the uniform this time.
Which was a good thing because I burned mine on the last day of school. In the senior parking lot. Good times… 
Anyway, when I found my scrapbook for my drama group, I was particularly happy. I think those were the pictures I missed most of all because that year, my sophomore year, had been fantastic. I was on the dance team, president of the sophomore class (which was actually a very visible job as sophomores at our school were responsible for the Sadie Hawkins dance AND the senior breakfast), and I made it into the cast of Godspell. I played Jeffrey. (Our cast was all female, except for Judas and Jesus…we had two talented guy singers and the roles were perfect for them.)
Our music director was a man named Roger Thompson. He had a huge impact on my life, truth be told. He loved his job. He was one of those teachers who gave 150% to his students. He was demanding, but he was fun. He had a wicked sense of humor. He treated everyone fairly. I know he gave me a lot of slack because I was in so many activities. But he believed in me. He thought I had talent as a singer and he encouraged me. He was also a maverick teacher who really didn’t play too much by the rules, something that definitely inspired my own teaching style. (The kids loved me, but I was a principal’s nightmare.)
He left after that year and none of us ever heard from him again. Over the years, I’ve done various searches, trying to find him. A name like Roger Thompson is pretty common, so I never found anything.
Until last night.
Well, until two weeks ago, when I did a search using his very unusual middle name that I remembered after all these years. I’d used the middle name before, but this time, I went in with a few more details and I found him! Or at least, I thought I had. I wasn’t sure, so I sent a short letter to this little town in the middle of no where, and prayed it was him.
Last night, he wrote me back! He’s still teaching music, still inspiring students, still remembers me and that fabulous year we all had putting on a play that to be honest, was an emotional powerhouse. It was awesome to hear from him, to be able to know he’s doing wonderfully and to be able to tell him about my life since then, too.
All for the cost of some time and a stamp.
The timing of this is really impactful, as more and more school systems are cutting extracurricular activities like drama and music in these hard economic times. I mean, looking back, you could say that I never did anything career-wise with my music, so if I hadn’t had participated, there would be no loss. That would be a huge lie.
Singing and dancing taught this introvert how to go on stage and perform. It served me fabulously in college, when I was a teacher, and now that I’m a writer. Once you’ve sung “O Holy Night” solo in front of 1000 people, giving a speech to thirty people is a snap. I know that drama and music honed my leadership skills and probably most importantly, exposed me to the “other” kids in school. I was a dancer. I knew all the cool kids. I was in student government. I knew all the responsible and smart kids. But I was also in music, so I knew all the creative, sometimes shy in class, but wild in drama, usually sardonically hilarious kids. I am who I am because of Mr. Thompson and Brother John Stella (our director) and Mrs. Mary May (dance team instructor) and the other students who shared a love of music, a love of performing, a love of drama and theater.
I know that this topic is touching Leslie particularly as her school board struggles to make hard choices. I hope she’ll pop in and add her opinion because like me, she was a drama kid, too.
So…if you could go back into your life and find someone who disappeared from your life, who would it be? How did this person affect your life?
I told Mr. Thompson I was blogging about him today…he might stop by and say hello!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Great story Julie! I think it’s wonderful you are in contact with him again. What an amazing thing. Mr. Thompson if you’re reading this, thank you for being a teacher, for being one of the most important influences in anyone’s life. You probably have no idea who much of what you do inspires us. So thank you for giving of yourself
For me, it was my first grade teacher. She probably passed away by now, but she was caring and encouraging and just the type of teacher who made you believe you could do anything. She definitely held you accountable – I used to always have a messy desk and once I had to stay indoors during recess and clean it! – but she was fair and nurturing and the type of teacher who made to want to go to class everyday.
Another person would be this girl (now a woman I guess) named Penny that I knew as a child. She was one of those rare, very pretty girls who was a little different. She didn’t care that you weren’t pretty or popular, she just genuinely liked people, and she was original and fun and interesting and made you feel like you were her best friend ever. She was a tomboy like me, and loved the same t.v. shows. I have to wonder if she is the same now as she is back then…
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It’s always nice when people thank the teachers that did so much for them. They get so little in pay for what they do, it has to make them feel like what they do has been worthwhile.
I know the first person who came to mind was Mrs. Boyle, my elementary school librarian, but I know she has died. I went to her funeral. Along with a couple of other teachers who did so much. That’s what sucks about getting older.
I always wondered what happened to an English teacher we had in high school for a couple of years, Laurie McKelvie. She was new, closer to us in age than any other teacher and all the boys were hot for her and she made us all feel like we were worth something. Not just a chore to get through teaching us everyday. She gave me the lead role of Maria to read in West Side Story in class, I think now, to bring me out of my shell. And it did in many ways.
then there was Mr. Schermerhorn and Mrs. Nevid my Spanish teachers. They always treated us like adults, not little kids.
I wish we had had a 30 year reunion with teachers instead of my classmates. I would have probably had more fun.
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Ev…I agree on that 30 year reuinion thing with teachers more than classmates. I had several teachers who were inspiring. What’s weird is that I had a dream last night about going to my reuinion (why, I don’t know) and then, Julie’s post. Weird.
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The only person I’d want to contact and have back in my life would be my step-dad who was the only real father I’ve ever known. He passed away in 1995.
As far as high school, Thank God I don’t have to go back and relive it!
Julie, all I can say is you were very lucky not to mention blessed not only with great parents but with a great school system.
Have a wonderful day all,
Cher, who still can’t believe everyone is waxing nostalgic about high school of all things! Yikes!! Just thinking about being a teenager again makes me shudder with terror.
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The person who comes to mind for me was my third grade teacher Mrs Stallings! She was a wonderful woman . I was a very sensitive kids who always wore my heart on my shoulder and because of that fact it got knocked off more than a few times.
One day that comes to mind was a really hard day for me and I remember her giving me a big hug after school had let out and I still remember her telling me that because of my big heart that I was destined to be something great someday!
No I never became a teacher or anything like that but I worked as a nurses aide for many years and I cleaned houses for the elderly in a small town nearby. I went on to being a girl scout leader for a long time and I now I am the transportation for my 83 year old grandmother and my 75 year old mother in law. I also have a disabled daughter who I I have to drive from one side of the state of Texas to the other to see her doctor. But that is not my point.
My point is that Mrs Stallings taught me that through patience great things can be accomplished. She had a huge heart and was always there for me even when I didn’t have a friend to talk to. She took the time to bring out the creative side and the sensative kid that I was, helped create the person who I became.
Thank you Mrs Stallings for being more than a teacher! For being my friend! SMILES!! ;o)
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Julie,
The honor was all mine to be your teacher. As I enter the “twilight” of my teaching career your letter came “in the nick of time”. I was beginning to feel tired, old and a bit sorry for myself (how selfish is that). In this day and age of fast internet, plummeting stock values and declining values it becomes more and more difficult for me as a teacher to hold up. The one thing I carried with me from my experience with you as a teacher was your enthusiam, honesty and honor. It was unequalled. I am going to last 4 more years, I know the time will pass quickly. I am so glad you made a contact with me and my spirpits are lifted more than you can imagine. I remember wacthing that movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus years ago and wondered if I would ever have students who cared that much about what I gave. You gave me that movie and now it gives me courage, strength and the fortitude to give it all I have these last years and probably look for another place (state) to keep on teaching when I retire from Illinois. I hope other good teachers (yes there are many out there) read what you have written and maybe even the not so good teachers read it to see what a positive impact they can make on a student’s life. I am so proud of you that I spent most of my free time running around the school showing people you website, books and achievements. Why, I am even going to start reading your ooks, which is difficult because I am one of those guys who only can read manuals. Julie, I love you guys and will cherish my experience as a teacher with kids for all time.
Roger Thompson
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I had a lot of wonderful teachers. I was very blessed. After, I started working for our school district, I have gotten to work with some of them. It has been wonderful.
One of the most influental was Coach Johnson, he is still at my high school making a difference today. Funny, I had a dream about him last night. So, I e-mailed him before I “popped” over here.
Have a terrific day!
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Roger,
What a beautiful tribute to our Julie. It is so wonderful that you remember her as fondly as she remembers you. How wonderful to know she made such an impact. You have hundreds of kids each year and that year, Julie was a shining star.
Take Care and remember Nevada can always use a great teacher like you.
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I’ve only been out of high school for a few years, and I have to agree with Cher – I had a very rough/emotional four years and I don’t ever want to go through that again. I only keep in contact with one person from high school, and we only ever talk about once a month through facebook. I do go back to the school every year, but that’s to visit a special teacher, Ms. O’Brien.
Ms. O’Brien was actually my seventh grade Humanities teacher. She’s the person who discovered my talent for writing (specifically poetry). She’d go out of her way to compliment my writing in front of the class as well. I always felt so special. The next year she decided to move up a grade and became my eighth grade Humanities teacher. By then she was more than a teacher to me; I confided in her and she treated me older than my thirteen years. At the end of the year she chose me for the school writing award as well.
I used to visit her when I was in high school, until she actually made the transfer to teach freshmen (I was a senior at the time but it made it more convenient to talk to her). I’d ask her advice on everything, and she’d always encourage me to publish. The ending to all of our conversations were “So, have you published a book yet?” I was so inspired that I did publish a book of poetry through AuthorHouse. (they were ninth grade love poems that really weren’t that great so I’m definitely not bragging about this accomplishment)
Anyway, I’ll always remember her and what she’s done for me…
<3 J
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All of you who ‘hate the reunion’ thing…. My home town did an “all High School Graduate” weekend. The Schools buildings had open house tours..
But it was soo cool to go back and see EVERYONE.. They split up by decades… 1940′s; 1950′s; 60′s; 70′s’ 80′s 90′s … The pre-40′s were lumped together [I think]… but it was fun to go back and see the people you hung out with – but were may be a year to 2 older/younger…
Only in a small town!… They’re planning another one for 2010…
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What a wonderful blog, Julie, and so cool to hook up with Mr. Thompson again. My mother was a teacher for over 30 years and there were a lot of her former students at her funeral. When I reconnected with some high school friends on Facebook, that was their first comment – that Mother was their favorite teacher. My mentors are gone now. The joys of being old. My 40 year isn’t that far away though I doubt I’ll go.
I’m feeling all nostalgic now. Time to get back to revisions.
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Julie, interesting subject. Nostalgia is a fun thing! Music does it for me.
All that said, I would not go back to high school. I did not really blossom until after high school. In fact, I didn’t even go to my 50th (yes 50!!)
last year because I had already made plans to go to RWA in San Francisco. I am so glad I did because I got to meet all the Plotmonkeys, Paula, Cher, Jill Shalvis, Rocki St. Claire and a few other authors. It was such fun meeting them all. There is no one I am in touch with from high school so how much fun would it have been? There are a few people I am curious about but no one I just have to know about. There were teachers I liked but most of them have probably passed away–remember 50 years!! 
Mr. Thompson, what a lovely post you left here about Julie & teaching. A thanks to you and all the other teachers that give it their all. There was one when my girls were in school that was such a creative person. I still see her once in awhile, she is now a principal still doing wonderful things.
:stpatrickstoast: St. Patrick’s Day is coming!! :kissme:
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I grew up in the military so I lost alot of friends along the way. Recently, I became one of the many on facebook and I started searching to see if I could find some of the people I had known in the past. It took a little time but I have connected with so many old friends that I feel like a kid again. Some are as far away as Australia and some are as close as an hour away. (We are already planning our get together) Facebook is so cool!
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Carol- You can also try Militarybrats.com
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For sure it would be my Chorus and Drama teachers. I sang in concert chorus, Yesterday’s Tomorrow ( a pop group), and Madrigals. I also was in advance drama and loved every bit of it. That part of high school, I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
Then when I worked at Wharton HS, I was very involved in the drama department, acting in two plays years (myself and Zayas, another teacher in roles that called for adults).
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Ooo I’d find my 7th grade science teacher :) In fact, he retired after my 8th grade year – and he corresponded with a few students, then disappeared
sad.
He was and still is one of my favorite teachers/instructors ever.
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Ev,
Thanks for the info. I’m going to give it a try.
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I’d go back and reconnect with my high school English teacher. He was really awesome and really helped my love for English literature grow.
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What a great re-connection to make! As Julie knows, I’m dealing with some really stupid stuff at my kids’ schools and am just so infuriated, so it’s really nice to know wonderful teachers still exist and are still forming those special bonds with students.
My most special bond was with Mrs. Cash, my 6th grade English teacher. She was an older African American woman and I just loved her. This was at the height of desegregation in Florida and I went to school some days during protests and media coverage, and she was just this wonderful, warm calm in the storm. When she retired at the end of that year, she asked me to speak at her retirement banquet at one of the Jax mega-churches. I was so thrilled and honored and have never forgotten her.
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Ah Sophomore year! The Prank! Tormenting the teachers with mind boggling mysteries complete with a “Red Herring” (i.e.: me). Did Mr. Thompson reminisce about the time Brother John walked into his classroom in the middle of class and cut off Mr. Thompson’s particularly hideous tie???