Rusty Saber: Teachers continue to influence long after graduation

Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University.

Although retired, I still serve as honorary faculty marshal at Drury University commencement exercises. At the recent graduation ceremonies for the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Drury President Dr. John E. Moore Jr. delivered the commencement address.

In my lifetime, I have listened to a lot of commencement addresses; I have been the speaker at a few commencements. I speak as one who knows when I say that few, including my own, have been particularly memorable. However, Moore's speech was thought provoking. Speaking to soon-to-be-graduates, he asked them to "recall the best teacher you ever had."

I haven't been a student for a long while, however, the query caused me to push the scan button on my memory bank and call up remembrances of past teachers. To stimulate thought, Moore provided criteria for how to identify the best teachers ever.

They should know their field and be well prepared to teach.

They should have goals and make students aware of what they are expected to learn and they should encourage individuals to achieve the goals.

They should take a special interest in students; students should know they care for them.

Finally, best teachers should have high expectations of students.

Moore wanted individuals to call up images of their best teacher ever. I don't know about them, but I did. I have this thing against naming anything the best, excluding all other choices. For example, if asked to name my favorite song, I would mention at least four. As I pondered past teachers, several stood out.

To Moore's best teacher ever criteria, I added another. My best teacher ever would have influenced me over my lifetime. As a result, I excluded some excellent college professors because none of them had the impact on my life that three public school teachers did. Yes, my best teacher ever is actually three teachers who taught in my home town, El Dorado, Kan.

One was Helen Case, my eighth grade American history teacher. She eventually moved into the high school. During her distinguished career, she received several state and national awards as a Master Teacher. She forced me to study history, not an easy task because I saw my role to be the class clown. Because of her, I developed a lifetime infatuation with history. She taught me how to study, and, most importantly, she taught me that I had better learn to behave myself. Today, she is a living legend and role model for hundreds of former students.

Another best teacher ever was the late George Shaffer, my high school speech teacher and debate coach. All I need to say about his influence is that three of us who were in his classes in about the same time period became college debate coaches, communication professors and department chairmen. His impressive track record included many other future professionals. He was a great one.

Finally, a best teacher ever was a physical education teacher and coach, the late Jim McDonald. From him I learned to accept responsibilities because he thrust them on me. In the classroom and on the athletic field, he forced me to be accountable for my conduct. If I did well, he told me so; rest assured I heard about it if I didn't. These lessons didn't stop at the schoolhouse door. Mac, as everyone called him, managed the local swimming pool and directed the summer recreation program. He gave me a job when I was too young to work anyplace else. I doubt that he realized just how much about life I learned from him, but I do.

I hope that the students for whom Moore's speech was intended got as much out of it as I did. It may have been the best commencement speech ever.