The Teacher Who Failed

Ray Blanchard is the only teacher I remember from 9th grade. That was almost sixty years ago and yet I still can see him, short and squat with a shock of straight blond hair wearing his usual rumpled gray suit.

I remember him clearly because he spent countless hours trying to teach me Algebra, a subject that eludes me to this day. In countless exercises, repeated explanations and long sessions after school he sat on the corner of his desk smoking his British Consols while barking out instructions as I worked at the blackboard.

I passed the final exam that year by one point (probably a mercy grade he gave me to move me out of ninth grade) but Mr. Blanchard failed at the thing he wanted so badly for me to do – learn Algebra.

As I look back, however, I am amazed at how resilient the memory of this teacher is in my mind. Despite his lack of success in teaching me math he remains an icon of perseverance and kindness towards a kid who had no talent for his subject.

For this reason, I salute all the teachers who, like this wonderful man, try so hard to teach God's word to all of our children, their ability or capacity to learn not withstanding.

Rest assured that they will never forget you regardless of your success or failure. As far as Mr. Blanchard is concerned, I don't know what became of him, but he would be happy to know that my daughter Émilie is a whiz at math!