So i was perusing the news, and a name popped out that I recognized, then i saw the photo and saw the smile i recognized from 27 years ago - OMG - 27 years ago was when i graduated high school.
I was one of the first graduating classes at Meadowvale S.S. in Mississauga, brand new school, strict principle called Arnie Forde, and some amazing hand-picked teachers. They say that high school should be the best years of your life - they were definitely some of my best years.
Gosh, this photo has bought back so many memories. This man, must say his hair was darker back then, was one of two teachers that helped make me who I am today. Tony Pontes (pictured) and Dan Bowyer were young, energetic, enthusiastic and they were honestly the type of teacher who loved coming to work every day . . .they arrived early to coach, tutor, chat and stayed late to help, teach and mentor the students in the school. Mr. Pontes (still wouldnt feel right to call him Tony), was my math teacher - and for those of you that know me well, i SUCKED at math - sucked so bad i got a 51 in my graduating year (they only give you a 51 if you fail and they want you outta there lol). Still managed to graduate with honours, but my math marks sucked.
The reason I graduated with honours, and still have a love of learning, is because of Pontes and Bowyer. Although I hated math, and i struggled every damn day of the school year with it, i knew that if i tried that Mr. Pontes would tell me 'good job', or 'you can do it' and the phrase that has stuck with me for year 'remember Nicky, dont ever quit, you will get it'. He even wrote that in my graduate yearbook. He would let us sit in his room after school ended and just chat about anything - i remember he was so preppy - button down lacoste shirts, dockers, loafers - but always a smile and an offer of help.
The newspaper said he was just promoted to the Director of Education position for the Halton School Board . . . . this man deserves it! He projects positivity, he is a team player, a motivator, an empowerer, and will soar in this new position. I congratulate him on making it to the top! He earned it.
Dan Bowyer looked like Rick Springfield, all the niners just thought he was gorgeous, i just thought he was an amazing teacher. He taught us Man in Society (anthrapology, sociology) and you never missed his class - cos he always would do something to capture your attention. He would keep a bag of candies in his desk, and would deliberately spell a word wrong, and if you caught it, you would get a candy - he managed to keep 30 kids eyes stuck to the chalkboard every lesson. Or he would see that we just werent getting something in the lesson, would put down the textbook, and teach it to us without the 'official text' , he would involve us all in a discussion about the subject, would get us debating both sides, respecting opinions and just generally discussing - and by the end of the class he had us all understanding the subject. I ended up with a 97 in his class, and still wanted to write the exam - cos dammit I wanted 100%. So I had to get his permission to write it, and i actually ended up with 101%!!!!! But cos the report cards were computer generated, they couldnt put 101, so i got 100! The first person in his class to do so - and that was because he made me want to learn, to excel, to debate, to listen . . . . . . .
So, i emailed Tony Pontes tonight to congratulate him on his new position (I just googled his email lol), and thank him - and within 10 minutes I had an email back, saying he remembered me, my spirit, my humour, my passion for learning and that i had been one of his favourite students. It is amazing how life goes around isnt it? From just sitting reading online news, I have connected to a man that was an important influence in my life . . . .
so to Dan Bowyer and Tony Pontes - thank you!!!!!!!
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