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Mister Wong
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Sometimes folk come along in our lives and make a tremendous impact. An impact that will last for the ages. They see us as we are and try to help us shape a decent future. They recognize our potential and do whatever they can to bring that potential to fruition. Such was the case with Dale Young. Dale Young, or as his students called him, Señor Young, was the Spanish teacher when I was in high school. I had the honor of having him as an instructor for 3 years. And during those three years he was determined to bring out the very best in me. And he did.
Mr. Young was a decent, kind, man. He had passion for his occupation - teaching. He felt that his duty was not only to teach but to make sure his students learned. Even though he was kind, he was no push over. He made each and every one of us toe the line each day. He had his requirements, and he stuck to them. He loved his students, but he did not have favorites. When I first walked into his class, as a Sophomore, I knew that I was in for an intense year. Little did I know back then, I would sit as near to the front of his class as I could for the next three years. The passion that Dale young inspired in his students had a way of carrying over to other classes. Our competitiveness manifested itself in History, Geometry, Calculus, Chemistry, and so on. And that competitiveness was born out of Señor Young's recitation period. You see, he had a simple method to get all students to participate. He required it. And he kept track of it through a point system. Each time we answered a question, we got a point. At the end of the grading period, these points accounted for 1/3rd of our grade. After the first grading period, everyone honed in on doing whatever they could to get those points. It was very competitive, a little stressful, quite educational, and fun. A lot like life.
But more than anything, he inspired us. He inspired each and every one of us. He challenged us to look beyond where we were and to know that we could become whatever we wanted to become. There were no limits - no glass cielings, no end of the line. We could go as far as our passion allowed us to go. In reality, we learned more than just Spanish in his class. We learned life. While we knew that it sometimes could be cruel and painful, we learned, that more often than not, that it could be kind and rewarding.
I hope you have someone in your life today that inspires you. Zig Ziglar once wrote that inspiration fuels passion. What inspires you? Who inspires you? Is there a Dale Young in your life today? More importantly though, are you a Dale Young in someone else's life?
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