The folks at StoryCorps were on NPR the other day asking everyone to take time to write a thank you to a teacher who made a difference in their life; which prompted me to try to find an art teacher I had in high school. I’ve tried many times over the years to find this teacher but I’ve hit a dead end so I will post this open letter in hopes that one day he might stumble upon it.
Dear Mr. Mark Mahoney,
(here’s your photo from my yearbook)
I’m writing this note of thanks to you because you made a big difference in my life. By this time you’ve taught many students so I’ll try to refresh your memory. (see photo above)
The setting: Columbus High School in the mid-70′s. I’m a sophomore and I’m in Sister M’s Geometry. Most of the nuns I have as teachers are great but Sister M seems to delight in a somewhat sadistic way of shaming students at the blackboard. If you don’t understand a problem she acts like it’s because you’re trying to ruin her day. I’m flailing (not a typo) miserably in this course and one day you appear at the classroom door. You tell Sister M that I am a talented artist and that you need me to transfer into your art class; but to do this I have to transfer out of Sister M’s class into another math class. She calls me to the door and asks if I want to transfer out of her class. All I can think of is that I can’t wait to get out of this prison-of-a-math-class. Totally missing the point that you, Mr. Mahoney, think I’ve got some artistic talent—enough to incur the wrath of Sister M. Many years later it strikes me that YOU were one of the first people to believe that I had some talent in the visual arts. I’m sure I thanked you then but I’ve always wanted to thank you again.
That day was a turning point in my life. Your belief in me and my other mentors in college who encouraged me to persevere have brought me to this place.
So thank you Mark Mahoney, art teacher (and hockey coach!) for all you did. You are a blessing.
