Fishing, LaSalle Style

I went to a fund-raising auction last night in St. Ignace.  It was the my first chance to hear Charlie Fowler, (my former English teacher in high school), auctioneer.  He exhibited the same skills he used as teacher to keep on top of a crowded room of anxious bidders.  Eyes scanning the room for movement of the auctioning sticks. Voice loud with clear. Eye contact to keep potential buyers engaged. High expectations for every person there to join in the bidding. Fun and love in his demeanor. Focus and patience for each new bid.  Style to challenge each person with their arm up to bid higher. Management skills to best use the small window of time before bell rings and class is dismissed (or in this case, the auction is over).

I remember taking a literature class of his that was loaded with football players. (in the 70s class sizes were very large at LaSalle) I couldn't schedule any other English class in my day. He assured me it would be fine when I voiced my concern about  the class, (he promised me that a couple days a week these guys would leave early for their football games).  I sat in the back of the class so I could read what was assigned and stay out of the constant joking and goofing around I expected to go on in this class. 

I was surprised by how much control Mr. Fowler had with these guys.  Putting the Huskey Twins, Gillespie and Freddie Pauquin in a classroom together with other students had to have been like asking a teacher to play ping-pong on a small kitchen table without a net. These guys never stopped.  Fowler kept reeling them to learn without breaking his fishing line.  He knew when to let some of the tension relax and ease away and when to pull it tight to hook them. I never forgot how he used these teaching skills. I looked forward to his class, learned a lot and laughed more than I ever did in any other class I attended in high school.  I never watched the clock on the wall to see if it was standing still. Time flew.

So, watching him use the large group at the auction to accomplish his goals didn't surprise me.  He's a natural.  Thanks for the memory sparker, Mr. Fowler.  And thanks for showing me you don't have to stay in your seat and shut up to learn.  I didn't see anyone looking at their cell-phone to see what time it was last night at the auction.  And there was a lot of fun going on with you at the head of the class.