Thank you, Barry.

Thank you, Barry 

When I was a student observer and student teacher at Middle Island back in the 1970s, I got to interact with a lot of different teachers. Some guided me on how to teach specific subjects. Some guided me as to how to deal with different kids as individuals. Some showed me the way to grow, both personally and professionally. Some even showed me how not to do all those things. 

I am grateful to all of them. One has even become a lifelong friend. She’s well aware of how grateful I am for everything I have learned in all the years I spent as a teacher. I’ve been able to repay her by sharing what I’ve learned from others to help her grow also.

One of the 6th-grade teachers that I worked with in Middle Island, whom I only interacted with for the two years that I was a college student observer and student teacher there, was Barry Luna. He taught me one thing that has been with me throughout my life since then. The words that he imparted to me were that I should always look at issues from both sides. 

These words helped me become more understanding of the differences that people have in both their opinions and who they are. It helped me become a better listener.

Though these words and beliefs are, at times, a problem for me, they have helped me become more understanding, empathetic, and compassionate in my dealings with the world around me. 

At times, following Barry’s principles becomes difficult when I have to make a choice decision. You might call me wishy-washy in those instances, but it is hard to make a decision when you see both sides of the coin and you see where people are coming from.

I guess what Barry’s advice helps me do, is accept others for their differing opinions and beliefs without necessarily giving up my own beliefs. And there are times seeing things from a different perspective does change my beliefs.

So thank you, Barry. Your gift of words has helped make me who I am today.