An Education Lived

David Steiner [PDF], via a kind reader's email:

Two lucky accidents served to take this education out of the realms of the ordinary.

First, the Perse had, years earlier, been home to a remarkable teacher of English who had invented something called the "mummery system." The English classrooms had as a result been converted into mummeries--small theatres complete with stages, costumes, lights, and sound. Four mornings a week, half the class would perform scenes from Shakespeare while the other half would watch and then critique. On some of these days, we would instead have to recite poems or engage in debates with our classmates. On the fifth day we would discuss other readings or study grammar. I owe much to those many hours of oral presentations--it gave me the skills I would one day use in the Oxford Union Society, and a life-long ease with the demands of public speaking. More importantly, acting Shakespeare gave us a familiarity with those plays that went well beyond what was available through reading alone.

The second piece of luck was our history teacher, one "Charlie T," a gentleman of indeterminate age, whose grimy ancient gown trailing halfway down his torn tweed jacket belied a mind of brittle precision, extraordinary passion, and relentlessly demanding standards. Only once in the seven years in which I studied with Mr. T. did I see him use notes (during a lecture on some military campaigns in Turkey). His memory for detail rivaled any I have ever encountered, and his ability to weave these details into compelling accounts left an indelible impression. Several of Mr. T.'s students would later become noted historians--one of international renown. While my pre-O level years--marred by dyslexia--passed with no sign of academic distinction, Charlie T.'s teaching produced a hint of better to come.

David Steiner is the new New York State Commissioner of Education.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at August 7, 2009 4:44 AM
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