Mr. Gage

A good teacher is like a candle: it consumes itself to light the way for others.  --Anonymous

Because I mentioned Mr. Gage in my last post (Click here to read!), and because he is worthy of praise and accolades, there is no question that this next post should be about him.  Mr. Gage is the kind of teacher everyone dreams of having, but few get the chance to actually experience. 

My family moved to Germany in July, and I went to a lock-in that the *PYOC was sponsoring.  (Any other military brats out there remember what that stands for?  The military loves acronyms!)  I remember asking two senior girls questions about my new school, **AFCENT International High School, and one of my questions was, "Who is the best teacher at AFCENT?"  Without hesitation both girls said, "Mr. Gage."   I remember tucking that info away into my almost 15 year old brain and thinking skeptically, We'll see...

A few weeks later I got my schedule of classes, but Mr. Gage wasn't on it.   I guess I would have to wait until the next year to see if Mr. Gage was everything people said he was.  His wife, Lillian Gage, also taught at the high school.  They were a beloved couple.  The first week of school, the faculty and staff received a devastating blow.  Mrs. Gage had been battling cancer for some time and lost that battle.  I had never met her, but the school was obviously stunned and hurt by this tragedy.  I remember many tears over the loss of this amazing woman.  The Gages had two young girls who bravely carried on.  Mr. Gage himself continued teaching without breaking stride.  Students marveled at his strength. 

I didn't have Mr. Gage for a teacher until my junior year when I took U.S. History.  Mr. Gage's classroom was in the 500 Building, also called the Senior Building because that's where the seniors' lockers were located.  Mr. Gage greeted students by name each morning.  He knew everyone!  Mr. Gage never raised his voice or lost his cool.  As a teacher myself, I know how hard that is.  I admired him then, and I admire him even more so now for that!   He was always prepared, he knew his subject matter, and he engaged students inside and outside the classroom. 

He didn't know that I was watching him and taking mental notes on how to be a good teacher.  So many of the things he did, I try to do with my own class.  When he graded papers, he would include the student's name in the comment.  "Great job, Suzanne!"   "Excellent paper, Suzanne!"  "Great content, Suzanne!"   I loved that he took the extra time to include my name.  And that he always spelled it correctly.  And that he didn't call me "Susan."   He graded papers right away and got them back the next day!  He never humiliated a student.  He never made someone feel silly for asking a question.  He respected everyone.  He took the time to be kind.   He reminded us to live and let live.

He asked us to read books and give reports on them.  He recommended the books Go Ask Alice and Black Like Me.  He told me I took good notes.   He encouraged me to take AP U.S. History my senior year which he also taught.  I was flattered and so badly wanted to do well so I wouldn't disappoint him.  He was a GREAT teacher!  I got a 4 out of 5 on my AP exam which credited me with two semesters of history classes for college.  Way to go, Mr. Gage!

He had fun activities for us in class.  One of them was where he would take an issue like the Revolutionary War, and ask us go to a certain corner of the room if we agreed, disagreed, or were neutral.  Then we had to discuss with the other students who were in our corner, choose a spokesperson, and then explain our reason.  Discussions were always very interesting because there were American, British, Canadian, Turkish, German, and Dutch students, just to name a few. 

Mr. Gage also taught Government and Economics, which was a required course to graduate.  We had it last period of our senior year.  Mr. Gage was so patient with us.   He had a class full of seniors with a serious case of senioritis, and he never once got frustrated!  I sat by three of my good friends: Serena, Helen, and Jarrod.  We chatted back and forth.  When he caught us (me) talking, he would just say, "Suzanne, please."  I  regret how much I talked to my friends during that class.  (I'm sorry, Mr. Gage!)  My friend, Helen, is British and took the class with me.  She probably knew more about American economics than I did!   But Mr. Gage was determined that everyone learn and pass his class.  He was able to motivate even the senior with the worst case of senioritis!   He had us select stocks and watch their progress.  He required us to choose an issue to debate in class and then had mock judges rule for or against us.  He simulated the stock market crash of 1929.   He asked us to choose a president and write a report about him.  He gave us a survey to see if we were liberal, conservative, or middle of the road.

Mr. Gage was also the senior class sponsor.  He chaperoned prom, he helped organize baccalaureate and graduation, and he announced our names as we crossed the stage to get our diploma.  (Thank you, Mr. Gage, for pronouncing my name correctly, and for not calling me "Susan!")  He made it a point to get to know every single senior and win their heart.  He did this successfully year after year.

One of my proudest moments was being awarded the Lillian Gage Memorial Scholarship my senior year.  It was a scholarship set up for those going into Journalism or Communications in memory of Mr. Gage's inspirational wife.  My minor was Communication Arts, and I was truly touched to receive this significant award.

I had an even better appreciation for my teachers when I started taking education classes in college.  I sent Mr. Gage a Christmas card my freshman year at college basically thanking him for being such a phenomenal teacher, and we have been exchanging Christmas cards every year since.  I asked him to join Facebook a few years ago since so many former students from AFCENT were on it.  He sent me a brief message that said, "I took your advice and joined Facebook.  This should be fun!"    His wall is full of students thanking him for investing in their lives. 

From time to time, Mr. Gage will send me an encouraging message about being a teacher.  If you are a teacher yourself, you know that every once in awhile discouragement sets in, and you feel like no one appreciates your hard work.  Mr. Gage has a radar, and when I am at a low moment, he sends a note that lifts my spirits and motivates me to keep going.  Those girls at the lock-in were right.  Mr. Gage is the best teacher.   I consider it an honor to know him and to have been his student.   I am not alone in my thinking.  Anyone who had Mr. Gage for a teacher considers himself or herself blessed. 

Mr. Gage retired from ***DoDDS (another fun military acronym!) , and he now lives in Texas where he teaches AP U.S. History at a private school.  I am 100% sure his current students love him as much as those of us from AFCENT do.   Thank you, Mr. Gage, for pouring into the lives of students!  You are the true definition of an excellent teacher.  I hope one day to be even half as good a teacher as you are.  

 One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.  --Carl Jung

*PYOC = Protestant Youth of the Chapel
** AFCENT = Armed Forces Central
***DoDDS= Department of Defense Dependents Schools

Mr. Gage's response:

Suzanne,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that wonderful tribute you wrote about me--and Mrs. Gage.  Nothing in my 41 year career has topped it.  You know I love kids and teaching as much as you do, and it is so rewarding when people recognize it.  I am sure well deserved tributes come to you each year from your students and their parents.  And many more will come your way down the line.  I hope you are enjoying a very well earned summer vacation.  Thanks again for your incredible thoughtfulness.  It means so much to me.