Special Thanks To…

Though there were no great guidance counselors, no Sherry Banks (see “The Guidance Counselor I Never Had” below), in my youth, there were a couple of educators who really inspired me, made me feel good about myself, and shaped the adult I became.

Thomas Hudnut, then principle of The Norwood School in Bethesda, MD (now headmaster at Harvard-Westlake in LA) recognized my love of words. He taught me the difference between etymology and entomology and always complimented my early writing efforts. Whenever I learn an interesting new word or write something I am particularly proud of, I think of the encouragement I received from him. Thanks, Mr. Hudnut!

Walter Bartman, an artist and art teacher at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD (now founder and director of The Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery in Glen Echo, MD), was a mentor to hundreds of students who came through his class, teaching us how to really SEE and how to translate what we saw into powerful visual art. He took us on field trips to New York City, which was an incredible adventure for us budding artists. (On one of those trips, I met Andy Warhol as he was passing out Interview magazine at a Greek Coffee Shop where I was eating lunch. I was 15. Can you imagine?) Many of Mr. Bartman’s students ended up getting college art scholarships and grants as a result of the training they received and the resulting pieces they created. Many of them are making a living as artists still. But regardless of whether we pursued art professionally, all of us were changed by passing through his class. We had our eyes opened. Thank you, Mr. Bartman!

These are not the only educators who inspired me. And of course, there were other adults who made me feel special, encouraged me. But for today, kudos to Tom Hudnut and Walt Bartman. Many years ago, you took an interest in me and it is still paying dividends today.

So, readers, who inspired you? Let us know in the Comments section.

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