In the fall of 1998, I began teaching in the Fishburne Learning Center at Blue Ridge School alongside another teacher new to the school, Tony Brown. As we helped students with learning differences, I learned quickly that Tony has a booming voice and a heart the size of a canyon. I would also learn that […]
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: Steve and Teresa Engebretsen
In 1980, Teresa Bell, while still a senior at Appalachian State in Boone, NC, was hired by Rob Hershey (to whom I’ve already paid tribute) to teach middle school French that fall at Durham Academy in Durham, NC. The following year, Rob hired Steve Engebretsen, who had coached basketball and taught PE at Greensboro Day […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Gratitude Tour: Trip Darrin
During my twenty-six years at Blue Ridge School, I worked for four heads of school. Ed McFarlane hired me. He was followed by Dave Bouton, then John O’Reilly. In my final and (I would say) most critical twelve years at BRS, Trip Darrin was Head of School. As I began to ponder how I might […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Gratitude Tour: Christiana Harris
In 2024-2025, my final year of teaching, I moved to Maryland and was blessed to be at St. Anne’s School of Annapolis where two of my granddaughters attend. It had been a while since I’d taught middle school students, and I hadn’t taught girls in twenty-six years. It had also been quite some time since […]
Posted inFeatured
Gratitude Tour: Peter Holland
In 2014, Peter Holland thought he’d write a book. Understand that he claims he was never much of a writer, but something meant enough to him that he wanted to write a book about it. In 2018, he published Blue Ridge School A Storied History: Vol. 1. It was Peter’s love letter to a school […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Gratitude Tour: Rob Hershey
After leaving Atlanta, GA, and Marist School in 1985, I applied for a teaching position at Durham Academy in Durham, NC, and was hired by Head of School Rob Hershey. The School needed a 5th grade teacher. I’d never taught that grade level before, and, to make matters even more nerve-racking, Rob’s son Will would […]
Posted inInterviews
Gratitude Tour: Mary Richardson
One of the fond memories I have of Mary in high school was watching her perform on the South High School football field as a majorette in Knoxville, TN, from 1972 to 1975. She sparkled. I and everyone else could tell she wasn’t just going through the motions. In fact, Mary began preparing for her […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher
Gratitude Tour: Buster Dunsmore
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 […]