Many posters recalled interesting anecdotes involving Ray. Some talked about his quirky behavior or his relentless pursuit of dress cose violations. Not one recalled anything at all that they learned from Mr. Dillard.
Let's address this head-on. WHY exactly is Ray Dillard so fondly remembered? Be detailed. Don't give me more anecdotes. Focus on what he taught you. What exactly did you LEARN from Mr. Dillard? And why hasn't Rich posted his photo as a blog follower?
Back in the day, I thought Mr. Dillard was teaching us Literature. Now, I realize he was really giving us the gift of literature appreciation. I suspect a lot of others realize the same.
ReplyDeleteI will attempt a Haiku in his honor. Once, I figure out what the heck it is and why it doesn't have to rhyme.
As for the photo, all my time is currently focused on a study of Oriental poetry forms.
Lastly, I find it difficult to believe that I'm the only one to correctly answer all of the Questions of the Week.
Ray Dillard is remembered as the "best teacher" because once you entered his classroom, you were on his terms, not yours. He did this intentionally with the carpeting, the way he dressed, and the way he carried himself.
ReplyDeleteOnce he got their attention, he would introduce his young students to literature in a manner that allowed them to enjoy it, whether they realized it or not. I obviously cannot describe his methods, but he was a genius at allowing his students to come away from his class with something gained.
Ray made his students tow the line. If they didn't, they would be sent down the hall, to the vacuum, or have an after school sit down. I believe some students may have been lacking this type of discipline at home and admired him for that.
That is my take on Ray Dillard. I would support him as a "Tower of Fame" candidate.
Also Rich - I forwarded to your employer how your time at work has actually been focused. They replied that Oriental poetry is much better than what they have seen in the past.
Rich and Marty I agree. You learned the word LITTER-ACHURE was the proper pronunciation for the word not litachure. You gave the man some respect and you got some in return. He taught some life lessons in class about how to treat people which were greater than the subject coursework. I recall picking up the itsy bitsies at the end of class, any little pieces of paper, mud, etc that ended up on his floor. I recall his face turning bright red when he got mad. That infamous uhh humm of him clearing his throat before he unloaded on you. Great man, and he will always have my vote for best teacher.
ReplyDeleteNow my favorite teacher was Dan Benitz. Always had fun in his classes and learned hands on things that are still paying dividends today.
I had Mr. Dillard in the seventh or eighth grade, and I honestly don't recall much about him except that he strictly enforced the dress code. He made all the students sit straight up at their desks facing forward. He spent a great deal of class time teaching penmanship and poetry. All in all, not some one I would call a very memorable or influential teacher.
ReplyDeleteMarty, excellent tribute. Buford, good list of his traits. I think that was a big part of his being memorable. I'd include the pulsting 'Y' vein in his forehead when agitated.
ReplyDeleteWhat specifically did I learn from Mr. Dillard that I would not have learned from another introduction to Literature teacher? Beats me! I did enjoy the brogue (and the story) he used for "The Cremation of Sam McGee." He typified "old school."
I remember Henry Gregor Felsen, but don't recall reading "Hot Rod." Makes me wonder if the girls read Jeannette Eyerly.
Rich, I thought only you answering all the questions correctly was self-evident and not worthy of further comment.
I did not experience Ray Dillard as an educator. The "pulsing vein" is interesting, though.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though D.Dave is worming his way into being a reviewer of posts rather than being a contributor. If this continues I will not send him his football.
Individuals I have contacted noted that "The Cremation of Sam McGee" was written by Kris Kristofferson. These inquiries were made in Perry, however.
The Big Nasty approved Reader's Digest Abridged version to The Question:
ReplyDelete"Beats me."
Well said indeed, D.Dave.
ReplyDeleteRain, rain, go away
ReplyDeleteCome again, another day
My basement floodeth
Rick: There are at least two reasons for not posting my picture. The first is that I don't know how and this research would require thinking on my part. (I certainly don't come here to think.)
ReplyDeleteThe second is that I don't want to be in the celebrity look alike #8. Use my high school track photo for that. (Maybe a Janis Joplin/John Lennon merge?)
I had Mr. Dillard the first year he taught in Jefferson. I may be a senior citizen, but he is still older than me. Of the five junior high teachers that year he was by far the best. He didn't have carpet yet, but had some of the same mannerisms that those students following indicated. I enjoyed the spelling, Palmer method of writing as well as learning more about literature. There were a couple of times that I upset him, being a dumb kid, and erasing part of the blackboard where he had written "Save!" I thought it had to do with Save when buying something. I learned. He had gotten new dictionaries. I think when I placed it back on the shelf it snagged one of the thin book ends and tore a page or two. I heard about it. But, years later I learned that I did something redeeming. All guys have left their fly down accidentally. I did it this week. I whispered it to him and he walked to the hall and adjusted it upward then returning. I never remembered it, but he told me about it years later. What a classy guy and a great teacher.
ReplyDeleteDoes your basement flooding affect in any way your job as a city planner? Just axing.
ReplyDeleteI made the flooding part up. It fit into my Haiku.
ReplyDeleteBefore Mr. Dillard, I thought Ogden Nash was a decrepit vehicle located between Beaver and Boone. Gues that it's actually a perpetual limerick machine.
ReplyDeleteIn 1973 Mr. Dillard could have lead some of us into an Acting career. I remember him poking fun at John Lennon, Paul McCarthy lyrics. His method of teaching Spelling was exacting and progressive. I could see Mr. D. as an English Scholar. Sharp and no nonsence, we did have fun in Poetry.
ReplyDeleteRay Dillard, as a teacher, will always remain a mystery to me. He obviously introduced many young people to literature. Taking nothing away from that, I would have been an avid reader with or without him. I read books regularly long before the seventh grade.
ReplyDeleteHis was the first class in which many youngsters first were taught literature. I find it quite interesting that almost nobody can put their finger on what HE specifically taught that another qualified literature teacher would not have. True, he taught great penmanship. But you really don't write cursive much, do you? Not in the business world. He made fun of John Lennon and Paul McCartney lyrics, but LOVED Ogden Nash. Go figure. He did teach poetry, yet most seventh grade literature teachers would have done so.
I don't remember anyone wanting him as a home room teacher. In fact, I don't remember anyone really proclaiming his greatness while we were in school. He was all business, but so were a number of other less-liked teachers. Just why this man is so highly thought of escapes me. For once I am speechless.