Sir Trous! I had Math 11 with you in 2009/10 and have so many hilarious memories. I still remember when you would furrow your brow and say “Uhh… k cool!” and nod when answering any of my absurd questions or when Blndr Quinn and I were acting like nuisances. You’d even sometimes say it when it wouldn’t be the correct answer to a question or you just wanted to move on. I remember the various nicknames I would call you, and you hated every single one: “Sir Trous, Trousy…” We were probably some of your most annoying students and to this day I don’t know whether you loved us or hated us. I’ll never forget your Ninja quizzes or Pi Days… I still remember coming to class on March 14th to be welcomed by four delicious pies – it was such a fun surprise and nice math break. The pleasure in your eyes when you would give us a Ninja quiz was hysterical. I always loved the creative ways you would present them to us: under our chairs, behind the white board, from the ceiling, etc. You made going to class exciting and something to look forward to because you always made me laugh; I remember enjoying talking to you when class was over because your presence was just fun to be around. My favourite memory of you, however, was during my final days of twelfth grade – I was walking by your classroom and you were by your desk talking to some students. I stood in the doorway and you were asking me what my plans were for the future. I told you I was going to Montreal and you said something along the lines of, “That’s great, you need to get new friends,” or, “make sure you make different friends.” I’m not sure if you remember this or what you meant by this, but it showed me that not only were you this fun teacher, but you observed things as well, and had an intuition of who your students really were. It meant a lot to me because it showed me that you really knew me beyond the surface. After reading many students’ memories, it is clear that you were such a thoughtful instructor who truly cared about his students. I wish I could have seen you after I graduated. I was deeply saddened when I first heard the news about you over a year back, and was always concerned with your recovery and would try to keep tabs on how you were doing; I truly hoped you would push through it. It always seems that the most amazing people are the ones who get sick. I wish your children could grow up knowing how amazing you were; you seem like a great father. I remember when your wife was pregnant with your daughter and you were telling the class you were going to name her after Nikola Tesla – you were so excited. My thoughts are with your beautiful children and wife. Thank you for everything Trousy. You are truly the best.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 19:12:18 +0000