Buster. Funny first name, right? Especially for someone who has earned the right to go by his actual first name rather than a silly, southern nickname given to him when he was an infant. His actual first name is Hubert. He was the firstborn in my family and is a junior so his full name […]
Dan Dunsmore
Dan Dunsmore’s aspiration in 1979 was to become a sports journalist, but someone suggested that he earn a degree in education just in case the writing idea didn’t work out. Dan’s student teaching experience that spring at Carter High School outside Knoxville, TN, changed the trajectory of his career. He went on to teach English and study skills for forty- three years at seven schools in five states before retiring in 2025. He wore many other hats, too, as educators do. Dan has now embarked on a gratitude tour to thank the many heads of school, colleagues, former students, high school classmates and even his big brother for the
positive impact they had on his career and education in general.
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Gratitude Tour: Rob Murphy
It was Rob Murphy’s daughter I met first. She was a student at Free Union School, where I was filling in for the final three months of the 1997/1998 school year. Without knowing who I was other than this guy who had suddenly begun appearing each day on campus in March, she’d greet me every […]
Posted inHigh School
Gratitude Tour: Diane Haertel
As mentioned in my tribute to Bishop Joel Konzen, I learned of an English position at Marist School in Dunwoody, GA, in 1982, after teaching one year in the DeKalb County School system. It would mark a turning point of sorts for me. I attended public schools my entire life. My first two teaching positions […]
Posted inDo The Work
Gratitude Tour: William Scipio
I met William Scipio at the Brass Tap in Baltimore, MD, Wednesday evening, October 29, 2025. Though in the past he has typically paid for my dinner when we’ve gotten together, this time he allowed me to foot the bill. His beverage of choice was Wheatley vodka with sweet tea. I’ve grown close to many […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Gratitude Tour: Chuck Roser
I visited Chuck Roser, his husband Tom, and their sweet rescue dog Patsy in their Pittsboro, NC, home on Friday, September 12, 2025. As a gesture of my gratitude, I took Chuck and Tom a six pack of 12-ounce bottles of Kona Big Wave Liquid Aloha. I gave Patsy dog treats and gentle pats on […]
Posted inInterviews
Gratitude Tour: Kelly Chung
“Aunty Mom” is what her students affectionately call her. My wife Merf and I called her Kelly throughout our high school days. Kelly is one of my wife’s best friends. That creative spelling of my wife’s nickname comes from Kelly. My correspondence with Kelly in the months after I saw her in Knoxville last summer […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Gratitude Tour: Carl and Nancy Frye
Carl Frye was one of the first colleagues I came to know well at Blue Ridge when I arrived in 1998. I wouldn’t coach until the winter, but, as the athletic director, he welcomed me to the School during the opening faculty meetings that August. He was already a legend at Blue Ridge, but that […]
Posted inInterviews
Gratitude Tour: Bob O’Connor
Bob O’Connor and I met during our 7th grade year at South High (a small neighborhood school that included 7th through 12th grades) and became best friends fairly quickly. I immediately liked Bob because of his positive outlook on life, his sly sense of humor, and mostly his family values. Only later did I discover […]