The first time I ever heard a teacher tell an entire class that we were lazy and basically worthless was in Stan Doerr's speech class. (Which, I might add, was TRUE!) I was in 9th grade and we all thought we were the cat's meow.
A synopsis of Mr. Doerr's rant was as follows: I have given you a simple assignment. None of you have done well. We will try this again. AND we will keep doing this until you students (I would substitute MORONS after hearing the tone of his voice) get this right.
As a class, we all went home, revamped our assignments and were blessed with his beaming approval the next day.
His next bit of news: I expect that quality of work each and every day you're in my presence.
Mr. Doerr produced fantastic musicals-- what a task master! As a drama teacher in a small system, he had no qualms about hunting talent in all the corners of West Marshall High School. He taught theater and set design to all of us. His tips on hiding imperfections in a piece of wood or a wall have stayed with me for fifty years. In the fall there was a play, in the winter there was children's theatre, and in the spring, there was a musical.
We made sets out of cardboard for a summer show because we had no money, he picked shows to highlight his leading voices, he would assign students to create costumes, and he was blunt, funny, kind, and a work-a-holic. Stan Doerr loved his wife, his students, and his pets with all his heart. He was one of those special teachers that you only meet once in a while....his craft was his work. His work was his craft.
He told me one time, " Erin, you can sing a little, dance a little, play the piano a little. But, Erin, you sure can talk and make us all laugh. That, is your gift. Use it. Make people laugh."
I try, Mr. Doerr, I try.
ps He also taught us how to spell AMONG
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