When I first started teaching in a co-educational Catholic high school in Baltimore County, an Irish nun, who taught there, gave me some good advice.  In her lovely Irish brogue she said,  "Christopher,  don't smile until Christmas."  In other words, don't try to be a friend or "buddy" to your students until you first gain their respect.  I found that this simple formula worked.  I set down rules and limits in the first few weeks of school and if I had a behavior problem or if someone didn't do their homework --- I gave them "detention" and / or telephoned their parents.  By late September the message got around,  "don't mess with Mr. Newman."

Sister Doloretta Francis O'Sullivan, O. S. F., had obviously spread her message abroard --- and to the "Clipper Ship" in East Baltimore.  The faculty and administration at Patterson High School ran a tight ship!  The Physical Education teachers must have had that message branded on their bodies.  I had one, grumpy, male history teacher who didn't smile until June!  Others began "smiling" by Thanksgiving.  There were exceptions to the rule.  Mrs. Tillery, "Mom T", believed in smothering us in love immediately;  she made Geography interesting, fun and never appeared to have any discipline problems.  And there was Mr. Ercole, who taught business courses and music.  In music class he made us laugh from the time we entered his classroom until the period was over.  His love of music and his sense of humor were contagious.  I still remember the sparkle in his eye when he noticed someone chewing a wad of pink bubble gum.  He would then start singing and playing on the piano:  "A tiscuit, a tascuit,  put your gum in the basket."  And there was Mr. Fleming who taught math and geometry;  he was one of our youngest teachers, well loved, respected and known for his smile.  He left Patterson the year before we graduated.

I fondly remember, Miss Danaher, our class sponsor and "guide",  Miss Kidwell and Mrs. Pizante who taught English and of course my Art teachers,  Mr. Williams and Miss Poteet.  Mr. Culotta, the Key Club faculty sponsor, was encouraging and supportive...(still don't know how I ever got in the prestigious Key Club).  My favorite teacher,  Mrs. Imogene Baldwin,  taught Maryland and American History.  She taught me to love our history and our country --- as she did.  Shan't forget her blue eyes and rosy checks,  and her passionate love for the subject she taught.  When she talked about great men,  like George Washington,  Thomas Jefferson,  William Patterson  and  Francis Scott Key --- "history lived."

In 1961, the Baltimore City Public School System was amongst the best in the United States.  Our school, Patterson High School, was at the top of the list in co-ed high schools in Baltimore City.  I am grateful to my teachers,  in the arts and humanities especially,  who taught me "how to think",  who challenged me, --- and who nurtured my interest in art, history, music and literature.

                    Christopher  Newman,      February  10,  2011