Tribute to a good teacher of mine ... He was young, all energy, quick and witty, intelligent and highly cultured. There isnt a verse of Shakespeare he didnt know, a line of Bernard Shaw he didnt quote in the most relevant moment or a sentence of Somerset Maugham he hadnt memorized. He was infatuated with old history and involved in contemporary world politics. He knew the rich and they appreciated his company, he befriended the poor and enjoyed being with them, he accepted their invitations, sat on their modest furniture, shared their meals and was thankful for it. He went to school barefoot for many years before he got his first shoes and was neither ashamed of it nor embarrassed to talk about it. He lived in a cold country but never owned gloves. He could sing the Beatles, Shirley Bassey and old English and Gaelic songs and dance equally well the Waltz, the Polka and many traditional steps of the world. He could walk miles without being tired and talk and listen a whole weekend without boring or being bored. He read more newspapers and magazines that were available in any newsstand in Marrakech. Books were his favorite presents to his students... He visited his students when they were ill and attended the funerals of their parents and siblings. He was heard to have been generous with those in need. He could crack a joke and drop a tear. He was everyones friend. He was Irish... He taught language to beginners through sonnets, scenes of plays, sections of short stories and novels and lyrics of the most popular songs. He didnt seem to have learned grammar words, he never used them, he talked much less than his students whom he engaged in joyful and happy exchanges. He didnt make them repeat and made them talk about what is of importance to them and what ad happening around them. He never punished nor rebuked anyone, yet, all respected him and did their homework and more. He was a real teacher, everyone who knew him felt very sad when he died, still young, after a stay in Japan. A mysterious disease took him too soon... He was a good teacher, a friend, a comrade and a mentor to many ... He liked Christmas and enjoyed celebrations just like a child ... Abdellatif Zaki Rabat, December 25, 2014
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 23:07:21 +0000
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