Ever have a truly terrific teacher? One that really made a difference in your life? Bill Wells was that guy for many of us who passed through the portals of the East Phoenix area's Longview Elementary School in the 60s and 70s.
Mr. Wells made it cool to play an instrument and participate in band or orchestra. So cool, in fact, that little Longview Elementary's marching band played in the major parades - we're talking Fiesta Bowl, etc - and did so because they earned their place there! The school's auditorium was eventually renamed the William E. Wells Auditorium. It's still standing. However, the old Longview school was torn down some years ago and rebuilt in a rather awful, multi-story, boxlike "improvement". The Osborn school system, back in the day, got excellent funding from the Central Avenue business corridor tax money. Now, there is no funding for these inner city schools, no music program and no people of Bill Wells' ilk to carry on the banner. Longview School's music program produced a fair amount of professional musicians, and a lot of us just regular folks, too, who had the opportunity to learn and perform and grow under Mr. Wells' enthusiastic baton.
My brother Jay had a chance to see Mr. Wells again recently. The man is well into his 80s now (we had thought he was dead!) and still full of stories and life.
We need more 'Mr. Wells' in the world.
2 comments:
Seriously - how cool is that. Its amazing how some teachers can really touch kids lives - and remember them years and years later!
Mr. Wells was a great teacher. What I remember best was his great sense of humor and laid-back take on life. What a geat guy! I'm glad Jay was able to reconnect with him.
John Foster
Duchesne, Ut
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