Brey Willows

Card 42, Writing Down the Bones: Tell me about a favorite teacher.

You know how some questions provide instant answers? This is one of those. But I’ve been lucky enough to have two, very different, teachers who made a difference in my life.

When I was at my third high school, I was pretty much a mess. We’d moved around a lot, and I was a typical loose-end teenager. Mr. Gillins taught a life skills course, where you had to learn how to balance a cheque book, you had to shop for you dream wedding to understand the cost of things, and you had to do weekly “grocery shopping” along with paying rent, etc. It was a truly invaluable course, and every teenager should take that kind of class.

But it was when things went sideways in my life when he stepped in to help. I was in a situation where I was still in high school but had to move out of the house I was in. He helped me with job applications, he helped me with figuring out how much I could afford to pay in rent once I found a place (my manager at McDonalds rented me a room), and he helped me fill out the paperwork that meant I could finish high school via the continuation program, since I couldn’t afford to live on my own as well as go to school every day.

He was an anchor in the chaos, and if it weren’t for him, I’m not sure I’d be here today.

And then, so many years and dramas and relationships later, came professor Bret Anthony Johnston. He was a creative writing professor, and he was the epitome of cool. He’d been a professional skateboarder, he had us put our desks in a circle, and he was so, so enthusiastic about our work.

Once day after class, he pulled two of us aside, and said he’d sponsor our applications if we wanted to attend the Iowa Writers Workshop over the summer. He said we shouldn’t waste time–our writing was good enough to explore it properly.

Because of Bret, I remembered how much I loved to write.

I’ve been a published writer since 2007, because he reminded me it wasn’t all about high flying careers. I’m still in touch with him, and I sent him a copy of my very first book. Looking back, I’d probably change a ton of things about it, but it felt good to say, “I did it!” He’s written some really lovely books as well, and I wish I could write as beautifully.

I don’t think we can put a price tag on what teachers give us. Good ones can make the kind of impact that truly changes our lives forever. Bad ones, of course, can do the same, but it’s the good ones we should truly remember and be grateful for.

Do you have a favorite teacher?