Educators

In all of our lives, we’ve interacted with educators — whether through school, training, or mentors we’ve encountered along the way. For the most part, my educators have neither strongly shaped nor hindered me, but a few stand out. I think we’ve all had teachers who weren’t a good match for us — an unavoidable part of learning. But fewer of us experience a real connection with an educator whose teaching style just makes sense — those are the ones you remember for a lifetime.

But what makes a great educator? I think it’s a mix of factors on both the educator’s and student’s part. Like any relationship, there’s a level of connection required — some call it chemistry. Is it all just luck? Not entirely. While relatability can exist without chemistry, the most impactful educators have both.

Looking back, a few educators stand out to me. I don’t know if the feeling was mutual or if they even realize how much they shaped who I am today. But I suppose that’s how life works — you don’t always know whose path you’ve altered or how those connections will endure.

Thinking back, a handful of educators left a lasting impression on me. Three people come to mind as inspired educators — though I know at least one of them would cringe at the label. Sorry, man, you don’t always get to choose the impact you leave.

In high school, I had a teacher for Grade 10 English and Grade 11 World History named Peter Martyn. He stands out as an example of calm energy. Not once do I recall him raising his voice beyond a normal speaking level. In fact, when the class got rowdy, he would speak even more softly, which somehow commanded more attention than shouting ever could.

Another high school teacher was George Wall, who taught multiple English classes and was my first guitar instructor. He was more of a hippie than my other teachers, and it was a great quirk that set him apart. I remember moments when the class would fall silent, and suddenly he’d stand up and declare it was time to commune with the tree. We’d all file out to the far side of the football field, place our hands on the trunk of a massive tree for a moment, then head back inside. Beyond the eccentricities, George instilled in me a deep respect for literature — especially Shakespeare. I think I read more of the Bard’s works in his class than in any other, which ultimately sparked my involvement in local community theatre. That, in turn, became my profession.

At the college level, I had an instructor who served as the Assistant Technical Director for the theatre program. While the program had plenty of competent professors, the ones I dealt with for subjects that would later define my career were deeply rooted in much older technology. Don’t get me wrong — it’s important to understand foundational knowledge. But when the most recent material in a course is decades old, something is missing. In his classes, we discussed up-to-date technology and theatre safety. I spent a lot of extracurricular time in his other classes, soaking up knowledge about both the craft and leadership. Over the years, we also became friends. That guy’s name is Cyrile Vo-Quang.

Education doesn’t end in the classroom. One of my most influential mentors came later in my professional life. At the time, he was a Cruise Director named Jason Venner. This guy taught me more about leadership — likely without even trying — than anyone else I’ve met. I picked up lessons on team leadership, coaching, and crowd management just by watching him work and having conversations with him. I’ve tried to impart what I learned from him into every person I’ve had the privilege of mentoring. And I think that is the real testament to his impact — his influence didn’t just stay with me; it carried forward.

There have been many others who’ve positively shaped my life, but these four stand out. Who were the educators that shaped your path? Their impact might be greater than you realized.