I've been working on this painting for a couple of weeks, but until today, I couldn't come up with a title. Today, I knew the title had to be in honor and memory of my friend who passed away yesterday. He was both of my kids' fifth grade teacher. I was his first parent volunteer in the classroom beginning in 1993, even though he had been teaching for many, many years, and I stayed there long after my kids graduated high school until he retired. He was a most loved teacher who literally changed lives, according to the many kids-now-adults who credit him with that honor. His peers at school loved and respected him. I was privileged to witness him in action in the classroom. I never heard him raise his voice, but he knew how to approach the unruly fifth grader. In spare time, he showed his students classic movies like South Pacific. He had a period every so often where he read from books to the kids, complete with the characters' voices. Also memorable, the kids were told they could NOT work on schoolwork, but were encouraged to doodle. And then there was the green couch that everyone wanted to hang out on. After some time, I was trusted with correcting some student work. He treated the kids with such respect and high expectations and they rose to the occasion.
Every year on my birthday, up until this past February, I received flowers from this generous man. My kids and husband got cards with a little something included and this message: "Have a drink on me." After Thanksgiving I would receive a poinsettia. EVERY YEAR.
I was so lucky to know this man and I will miss him. "You're a real prince, George Hanneman, a gentleman and a scholar" J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye.
https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1256-a-gentleman-and-a-scholar/1143732
