Some of life's biggest influences come from a classroom

You don’t know Walter Bond.

But there have been many like him in every school in Hardin County.

He was a teacher who cared about those who excel without much effort, and those who needed all the help they could get.

Walter Bond: Now he was a great teacher.

Every student deserves a Walter Bond at some point in their academic careers.

I’m glad I had him.

He was a tough guy by 1970s standards. When he spoke, you listened. If someone acted up in class, you would hear the booming voice of Mr. Bond and you never, ever sassed back. You heard down the hallway and in other classes as well.

He wasn't someone you crossed.

He was thin, always wore a tie and glasses, smoked a lot and seemed to carry a tan with him year round, not an easy task amid the cold Canadian winters.

An average student at best in his math class, he helped me prepare for the ACT. He didn’t have to and I probably did little to earn his extra effort.

But I was one of his students and to him, it didn’t matter if you were a straight-A pupil or someone struggling to maintain a C average. He looked at all of his students the same way.

For a teacher, that’s about as cool as it gets.

When I heard he had passed away a few years ago, it made me think about the kindness he showed me, and many, many others.

What a great responsibility it is to be an educator of children. Teachers shape, mold and make impressions on young minds every day.

Mr. Bond took his profession and his responsibility very, very serious.

I don’t remember many of my teachers.

I remember Marie Sarazan because she was blonde, pretty and in her 20s when I was in the sixth grade.

I remember Carley Foulds because she never seemed to want to help kids get better in English. She almost seemed to take pleasure in leaving the kids who struggled behind. She would be stunned by my chosen profession.

And then there was Mr. Bond, the assistant football coach, the guy who would stay after school to help those who needed extra help or just an encouraging word.

I hope he knew he was a great teacher who made a difference in the lives of many.

I was one of them.

News Editor Jeff D'Alessio can be reached at (270) 505-1757, or at jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com