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He helped me spread out my wings and taught me to fly..
For me the 1973/74 school year is one I will always remember fondly.
I was incredibly shy back then – painfully so. Up until the 5th grade my only wish was to blend in, to be invisible.
But Grade 5 would change all that. Grade 5 would give me an opportunity to spread my wings.
Enter Mr. Schachter – a 28 year-old, long and curly-haired, brilliant and unconventional teacher.
Eric, as he insisted we call him, brought me out of my shell and taught me to love the Arts.
While all the other teachers focussed on the 3 R’s (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic), Eric inspired us to write long and imaginative compositions.
He taught us to play musical instruments like the autoharp and guitar.
Other times we would sit and listen to records with our eyes closed and once we had a dancing contest, in which I won a 45 – Smokin’ in the Boys Room.
I also joined the after school video club where we created animated films by shooting a few frames, changing the position of paper cut-out characters or clay figures, and then shooting a few more frames and so on.
Or we would make people appear or disappear using the same method. These shorts films were magical and so satisfying to create!
My favourite memory though, has to be the Christmas play we produced.
We had been divided into groups of 4 -6 kids and each group was tasked with the responsibility of creating a short skit that portrayed what Christmas meant to us.
My group did a family scene. I was the mother and Mr. Schachter was thrilled with my costume, saying he knew he could count on me to come up with something excellent.
I had stuffed one of Mom’s bras and wore a turtleneck, skirt and low-heeled shoes – that’s what Moms in the 70s looked like, right?
All the groups had practiced our skits but none of us knew how the play would come together. All we knew was our own skit and that we would all sing a song we’d practiced in class at the end.
When the stage curtains opened on the night of the play, the audience was greeted by none other than God (a football player-sized black boy who blew a big Bazooka Gum bubble)
I don’t know for sure, but I suspect that Vance, who played God, improvised his entire part.
One-by-one our little groups went out onto the stage and performed our skits and Vance, a-hem – I mean God, would share his thoughts about the goings-on after each group was done.
In the end, the theme that had threaded itself throughout the play was love.
When you strip away everything else – love remains.
Then we sang our finale – All you need is love by the Beatles.
It wasn’t a traditional Christmas play. It wasn’t what our parents were expecting, I’m sure.
Later I’d learned that Dad had turned to Mom and asked who that guitar-playing hippy was.
“That’s Diana’s teacher,” Mom said.
To which Dad just raised his eyebrows in bewildered amusement.
Many times since then I’ve searched for Eric Schachter.
You see, he left before the year ended. I’m guessing he was a little too unconventional for some folks at that time.
I can still remember the Monday morning that we showed up to find the Vice Principal was our substitute teacher.
He didn’t tell us why…
only that Mr. Schachter was gone and that he had left a little something for each of us in our desks.
I reached into my desk and found a Neil Diamond Album. It came with a card.
Dearest Diana,
I’d send you a horse for Christmas but I can’t find a big enough envelope. I’m sure that you have had a good year, you are a person who is strong and able to make the best of life. I often see your warm and smiling face in my imagination. Even if we never meet again I shall always feel for you and be wishing God to smile down on you. You are probably as tall as me by now, and a lot prettier!
All my best wishes for the new year and the changing seasons.
All my love, Eric
I still google his name every now and then but remain unsuccessful in my search.
Eric Schachter, if you’re out there somewhere and happen to read this post…
I just want to say THANK YOU for helping me spread out my wings and teaching me to fly.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
There are people who like angels come into your life for a brief time yet manage to colour your world beautiful and change your life forever.
I’d love to hear about your angels in the comment section.
earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … I’ve met some cool, creative teachers who inspired me. Ironically, the ones who most inspired me in high school, were teachers I didn’t have: Mr. Robert Gloccum and Mr. Louis (?) Lichenstein. Mr. Gloccum expected great things of me as a writer and Mr. Lichenstein helped prepare for me for my first and only effort in a prize speaking contest before our whole school. I bombed, but it was just because I froze … and, then, I couldn’t get thru the speech (“Arsenic and Old Lace”) fast enough. 😉
Best wishes to you in finding your very creative and inspiring teacher, Eric Schachter.
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dianasschwenk said:
Love the stories of the teachers that inspired you Judy. ❤ I sometimes wonder if we're not meant to find everyone we look for… ❤
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Unfortunately for me, by the time I wanted to tell Mr. Gloccum how much his support meant to me, he had died. I did write something about that to his widow. This was many years ago. As I recall, she appreciated that I wrote. I did go back and talk to Mr. Lichenstein. He’d left teaching and was working as a counselor to help troubled kids get back on track. He was a great guy. 😉 Eric Schachter’s departure is a mystery, but I do hope you continue searching for him and connect with him.
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earthriderjudyberman said:
That was a beautiful letter your teacher wrote to you. A real treasure. I wish I could be that creative in writing to all of my students. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Perhaps if you suddenly left mysteriously… It is a beautiful letter, thanks Judy!
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Don’t tempt me, Diana. There are days … 😉
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … I do love your story. In re-reading it, it filled me with sadness (because you never knew what happened to him or why he was gone, and that you were never able to contact him). It also makes me smile. Eric Schacter also is a teacher who is unforgettable because he left behind such wonderful memories. 😉
As you can see from my post, “An Unforgettable Teacher,” I misspelled Louis Lichtenstein’s name.
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dianasschwenk said:
Poor you. By now you know this post by heart. 😉 I keep switching the spelling of my teacher’s name too. I’m not sure which one is right Schacter or Schachter… funny I’ve had the same issue with the word character, spelling it charachter at times.. oh well
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Slapppshot said:
Wow, love that you kept the letter! What a treasured memory…but unfortunately our (Mr Schachters and mine) paths have never crossed! But I’ll keep an ear out for you 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I was thrilled that I kept the letter! I usually don’t keep anything! Thanks for keeping your ears open.
Cheers!
Diana
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this is lemonade said:
There was a very ordinary teacher I had aged something like 5 or 6. She was not extraordinary like yours, she was simply kind and gentle. I had a lot of difficulties at that time, and she left an indelible mark on me. I remember nothing but her young face and twisted arthritic hands. They were terrifying hands for a child at first, but she was such a kind soul I have this strong memory of those hands and the gentleness that was able to reassure me I was ok. I don’t remember learning any huge academic lessons from her, but I learnt kindness and its power to bring peace to vulnerable people.
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dianasschwenk said:
You know, I’m not sure that teacher was so ordinary, I think she was amazing! Thanks for stopping by and sharing this story! All the stories shared here have been so wonderful.
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mindfuldiary said:
Wow! Such a great story. Teachers have such a huge impact on children. I had an art history teacher, who opened a whole new world of art to me. She used to take us to art museums and talk talk talk about art. It has probably not had any practical value in my life, but it thaught me that there is different lense from where life can be observed, and that is priceless, worth more than any math or other subject ever thaught me.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well thank God we’re more than just being practical – there’s a whole spiritual and creative side as well! Don’t you think?
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thoughtsfromanamericanwoman said:
wonderful post – I have a had a few but Sister Patricia always stands out for me…It is amazing how someone in our life for a brief moment can have such an impact on our lives. They are indeed the seed planters – planting those seeds of faith! Blessings ~ Patty
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes Patty it truly is amazing!
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elizabeth2560 said:
I actually had a couple of doctors and a couple of teachers who uplifted me in regard to positives comments to me on how I raised my children. At the time, these meant a lot to me and the inner confidence I had been given has stayed with me to this day.
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dianasschwenk said:
If anything is uncharted territory until you get there it’s parenthood! I’m glad you had people to encourage and guide you through it!
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joannerambling said:
It is good when someone has a teacher like Eric who shows them how to spread their wings and fly………..I was not so lucky…………..
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww sorry to hear that Joanne. something tells me though, that you have lived your life helping others to spread their wings and fly. ❤
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russtowne said:
I meant to include in my earlier comment that at long last I’m again receiving your posts via email. HOOORAAAY!
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Hooray indeed! I always love your insightful and encouraging comments Russ!
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russtowne said:
I’m deeply touched by this wonderful post and tribute to such a remarkable teacher, Diana. I’m glad that your paths crossed and I hope the two of you meet again! I love this post.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Russ, I’m glad you loved it!
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stuffitellmysister said:
I hope you find him. This is a precious post that shows the influence teachers have on students (positive AND negative). ♥
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dianasschwenk said:
If it is meant to be it will be. Thanks for your encouragement!
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stuffitellmysister said:
About ten yrs ago I reconnected with a teacher that changed my life for the positive. (in the music world) He passed not long after that and I am so thankful I was able to tell him how much he meant to my life. ♥
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow that’s incredible! Was he surprised? touched?
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artsifrtsy said:
I had a teacher like that, with me for only a single school semester. She was my Art Teacher in 2nd grade. Mrs Meyer. She looked like Gloria Steinem in a crocheted hippie vest and drove a pink VW convertible. She pulled me aside one day on my way out the door for recess and told me I wasn’t like the other kids, that I was an artist. She shared this with my Grandma. She told me to never do projects and to always make art. She entered my work in shows for much older kids. I think she gave me my identity in some ways. I always checker for that VW in the parking lot, hoping to see her back.
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dianasschwenk said:
wow it amazing how much adults can influence or give confidence to kids who have ability and don’t even know it yet! Have you ever run into her again?
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artsifrtsy said:
No – she left mid year. She had back surgery and tried to come back and only stayed a few days. I always wondered where she ended up – she was different than most teachers – more creative, less structured. I didn’t get the impression that the other teachers thought much of her, but I did.
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dianasschwenk said:
a non conformist like my teacher…what has more value? the affirmation of peers? the affect on students? It’s hard to say
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artsifrtsy said:
Students – no one ever talks about the ordinary teacher who never pushes them or the envelope 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Ha! That’s true – no one does that. 🙂
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Wyrd Smythe said:
What a great story; he sounds like a wonderful teacher. And an added dash of mystery to go along with it! Maybe it’s better if you never find out… a little mystery makes life interesting!
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dianasschwenk said:
very true…I have no choice but to accept that right?
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Either that or go buy one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and a magnifying glass. Lady Di: Ace Sleuth! The Canadian Nancy Drew!
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dianasschwenk said:
no I’m good LOL!
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bulldogsturf said:
It is always nice to hear others found that one special teacher that brought something out in us… I had a special maths teacher who challenged me to challenge him at all times.. and we did have some good hot arguments about maths… without him I might never have become the mathematician I am today… a great guy, dead today unfortunately… my maths was atrocious before he took over the class… I never got less than a distinction after that year, in maths…
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dianasschwenk said:
sounds like a great teacher!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Great post, Diana. Googling people from our pasts…I guess sometimes you aren’t meant to find them. 😦
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dianasschwenk said:
so true…sometimes we entertain angel unaware we are doing so…
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billgncs said:
I think he saw the flower just needed a little water to bloom. What a lovely story.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Bill. That Monday when he wasn’t there anymore, my tears fell uncontrolably and I don’t think I was the only kid who was crying.
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Louise Gallagher said:
What a mystery…. why he left. If it were ‘forced’ I wouldn’t think they’d let him leave you all a message. Maybe he got sick, or someone he loved got sick. Or maybe he joined the foreign legion or…. 🙂
I love this line — “When you strip away everything else – love remains.”
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is a mystery and I have drawn the same conclusions as you…I wonder if he is still alive…in any case he left his mark on me.
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mrs fringe said:
Lovely. I’m glad he came into your life, and you were able to learn what he had to teach. Sometimes, I think in these scenarios, it’s better not to find the person, and just hold the moment. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, I agree – well for the most part. It had been many years since I looked at that card and read…even if we never meet again… Like some sort of clue or premonition…
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cyclingrandma said:
Good teachers are always remembered as are memories of being in a school play. Nice story!
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dianasschwenk said:
So true, I had a few but this one was my favourite! Thanks. 🙂
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
Sounds like a remarkable teacher Diana, I wish your google searching was successful 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
He was pretty cool! yeah me too…
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