Mr. Zack: An Unconventional Teacher

When people are asked who influenced them most in their lives, the answer is pretty much the same across the board, whether the response comes from a world leader or a celebrity or the average Joe. Many people would say it was a teacher who had influenced them the most. I am no exception.

I went to a parochial elementary school which meant, at that time, all my classes were taught by nuns. We were expected to stand whenever an adult entered the room, all parroting a sing-song “good morning” or “good afternoon.” We wore uniforms, walked single-file, and did the school work that was assigned to us - no questions asked.

Sounds like every school kids’ nightmare, right? Well, it wasn’t really, but there was something missing. Every day was exactly same. Nothing ever changed. That was until fourth grade. A new teacher came to our school and was given a chance to “prove himself” with our class. Yes, himself. Mr. Zack was the first non-clerical, non-female teacher to ever teach at our school. We were excited and curious to see just what he’d do. The first day he came in the room with a potato and a glass jar with dirt. He buried the potato half way down. He then had us write a name to give the potato on a slip of paper. We put the papers in his hat, and a name was drawn. That first day “Ernie” the potato was put on the windowsill. Mr. Zack taught all our lessons to us before lunch, so that after lunch we were free to do the most amazing things. As the year went on Ernie’s vine grew up and around the window. Mr. Zack read “To Kill a Mockingbird” to us, of course leaving out all the swear words. He taught us the song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” I think of him when I hear that song. And when I feel sad I sing it, because the memory of that song makes me happy. I wish I could tell him what a great teacher he was, not because he was brilliant, but because he was generous and loving. And every time I feel a little blue you’ll find me humming…because I’m free, nothin’s worryin’ me.

- Debbie Shannon