My Dad, My Teacher

I have had a teacher who published a dozena buck by stripping and recycling copper wire, and
books.that a sandwich of canned black olives is not
I have had a teacher who speaks 12 languagessomething a kid can appreciate.
fluently.He taught me how to use a camera, how to
I have had a teacher with two Ph.D.s and a J.D.catch a snake, and how to wire a breaker box.,
I have had a teacher who had been a PresidentHe taught me how to split and stack wood, how
of a University.to build a fire, how to drive a fire truck, about
I have had a teacher who had been awarded aborate bombers, back fires, and why pine trees
Nobel Prize.explode during a wildfire.
Yet, the most influential teacher in my life wasMy Dad taught me not to make ridiculous threats
my Dad.that you don’t intend to follow through on
My Dad taught me how to tie my shoes, how to– especially if the guy is bigger than him and
wire a receptacle, and how to replace theflushing a head in the toilet is harder than it
alternator in my car.sounds.
He taught me how to bait a hook, cast a line, andHe taught me that man can live on bran muffins
gut a fish.for breakfast for eight years without complaining.
He taught me that getting stitches in my chin isHe taught me that completing a job you can be
easier when you have someone’s hand toproud of is worth more than the paycheck.
squeeze.My Dad taught me that you’re never too old
My Dad taught me to ride a bicycle and ato learn Morris Code.
motorcycle, and how to drive a car.He taught me to ask for morphine as soon as I
He taught me how to back-up a trailer and howarrive at the emergency room with a kidney
to roll a sleeping bag really tight.stone.
He taught me that a look of disappointment couldHe taught me that it is possible for a man of few
be a much worse punishment than a woodenwords to make a lasting impression on
spoon.people’s lives – through his deeds and his
He taught me about ailerons, flaps, uplift, andcharacter.
touch and gos.And the last time I saw him, just several months
My Dad taught me how to read a map, read anago, my Dad started teaching me how to use
auto repair manual, and read the edge ofPhotoshop on my computer.
Mosquito Road even in the fog.My Dad, through his example, taught me that
He tried to teach me algebra, but I gave up on it.experiential education is more important than any
My Dad taught me to play the guitar, how to putlecture. And that the best teacher acts as a
backspin on the cue ball, and why I needed tocoach during the learning process and not a
clean the distributor cap.know-it-all expounding inflexible answers.
He taught me that the journey can be just as funAlthough my Dad was a hard working, blue collar
at the intended destination.electrician with no college degree, I would not
My Dad taught me that enjoying your work ishave earned a Doctorate in Education were it not
more important than promotions and prestige.for the most important essentials My Dad Taught
He taught me how to shingle a roof, how to earnMe.