Thanks Mr. B

There are so many people who help each of us in life. Some we see for the angels they are at the time, and others it isn't until much later that we can see how their influence changed our lives. In middle school I had the same teacher for 3 classes in 6th grade, and 4 classes in 7th. Mr. Birkeland taught us english, math, history, health and likely many other subjects, my memory fades. I didn't realize at the time that Mr. B was an art teacher, that is where he true passion was.

He read to us each day after lunch. This was my favorite part of the day, I remember him sitting behind his podium reading Watership Down to the class. I remember the lilt to his voice, his smile, and I always felt secure in that classroom. The 25 to 30 of us in those block classes were thrown together most of the day and he led us through the unsettling middle school years. Possibly, looking back, he had a better understanding of how awkward and uncomfortable those years can be than i ever imagined. I did well in his classes. I recall working hard, but not being overwhelmed or struggling.

The more I reflect the more I see how clueless I was as a young person. One is so self centered in those years (or maybe just me??) and you miss so many things. I realize how little I knew about the man even after spending so much time in his presence. What I do remember is that he was kind and patient and a true blessing my me. At the time I had no idea.

In the Spring of my 7th grade year he had me take a special math test. I don't remember much about the test except that I was one of only a few kids in the class pulled out to take it. And the following year I was place in the upper math class. Getting thrown into the deep end of the pool for math was the key to my being put in the classes that would lead to AP in high school.

I had only just begun to notice that there were different curriculum tracks. I just went to the class they sent me to. I knew there were classes with the "smart" kids but I don't recall thinking much about myself being in those classes or not. I had only transferred into district 411 in 4th grade. So all the sage type things were already set from my vantage point. Mr. Birkeland saw potential in me I didn't know was there as I muddled my way through. It was his hand in getting me into that high level math (my favorite subject) that completely shifted my trajectory and my confidence.

By the time it occurred to me to look him up and say thank you he had passed away. Even so, thank you Mr. Birkeland for seeing me and re-aiming the arrow of my education. I wish I could have told you in person.