The December list will be the top 30 most memorable teachers/staff (see rules below), and tonight, we're remembering everybody's friend JOHN COLES (seen here in his yearbook pic, bonus link below to an article with a more modern take as to whether teachers should be friends with students).
As I remember him, he was a big bear of a man with a booming voice and a ready smile and a tendency to throw his arm around you (back when that gesture wasn't problematic) -- and although I don't know for sure, I'm guessing he had Sunday gravy at his house on the regular. The other thing that Mr. Coles had going for him was that he was in charge of student government, which means he liaised between the administration and the kids ... and which means the students always felt like he was fighting for them.
And, on a personal note, I actually had little to no interaction with Mr. Coles. I had other social studies teachers (his main subject) ... and I wasn't seriously involved in extra-curriculars in high school due to some family constraints. All that said, though, I know full well that he would place high in any popularity contest ... and so he places high in this list as well.
Here's to you, Mr. Coles!
RULES FOR THIS TOP 30 LIST: Honorees must be one of the ninety individuals listed in the faculty pages of the '89 yearbook (which means two thirds of the list are already not going to be referenced). Honorees may also be selected from the photos of support staff as well (so long as they are on the surrounding pages of the same section). Honorees must be memorable (if there are no stories, then there will be no post about that person). Honorees are chosen and ranked by me (if you disagree, start your own list on your own blog). All memories are believed to be accurate (but are being told through the lens of thirty or more years, so ... you know.)
BONUS LINK TO AFOREMENTIONED ARTICLE:
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2011/10/response_can_teachers_be_friends_with_students_--_part_one.html
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