Remembering Great Educators and How They Shaped Us

Boomers grew up in an amazing time in history. America was on the grow and education standards were high. In the wake of the Great Depression and World War II, the only way was up. I had the good fortune of great mentors growing up – terrific teachers and administrators – who showed me the way and managed to infuse some level of wisdom into my stupid head.

When I entered 5th grade in September of 1966, I was living in the fastest growing city in the United States – Bowie, Maryland – some 26 miles outside of Washington, D.C. At the time, the Prince George’s County School system worked feverishly to keep up Bowie’s growth. Homebuilder William Levitt (Levitt & Sons) brought his community building resources to what was a rural area of the county at the cusp of the 1960s. The quiet little hamlet of Bowie, Maryland was about to change.

Bowie was a wide spot in the road on Defense Highway (MD 50/450) between Washington and Annapolis, Maryland. Levitt arrived in Maryland at just the right time. In those days, Bowie was in a triad region between Washington, Annapolis, and Baltimore. It was on the way to everywhere. US Route 50 became a freeway between Washington and Annapolis, with Route 3 North to Baltimore.

In the fall of 1966, I met the greatest teacher I would ever have—Miss Nancy Washington, 26, fresh out of college. She wasn’t your traditional “Single File, Class…” educator. She was very down to earth, a true friend who made learning fun. She made education an adventure. In fact, she was so good I’ve never been able to forget her profound effect on my life.

At Bowie Senior High School in the 1970s, we had Vice Principal Anthony “Tony” Verge who was raised in his native West Virginia. Mr. Verge was not your average administrator. He yielded a firm hand, yet we never felt he was the heavy. If you were cutting class and hoping to get out of the Bowie High parking lot unnoticed, Anthony Verge would be waiting, then pop out from behind a car and comment, “Where you supposed to be?” He didn’t drop the hammer – he reminded us to examine our conscience. We knew where we were supposed to be.

I’ve had the good fortune of knowing Tony Verge since the 1970s. I lost track of him for decades, then found him and his lovely wife and educator, Arlene, recently – long retired in West Virginia. We’ve had a wonderful enduring journey together in recent years getting to know each other intimately in the peace and quiet of their rural community. They are stellar people to spend time with. The Verges have dedicated their lives to service to humanity and are still at it in their eighties.

John Filardo is another terrific mentor and educator – very laid back and easygoing. He managed to educate me in Consumer Math 50 years ago when it was virtually impossible to educate me. I was a terrible student and challenging to teach. I used to go to his house and tune his cars, which was how we bonded and have remained great friends for a lifetime. A committed golfer, John Filardo retired from teaching years back – focusing on what made him happy. He has never wavered. I call him and he will answer, “I’m about to tee off, call me later.”

Truly committed educators are those who spend their lives making the world a better place before they hand us to the world. Sadly, I missed out on Nancy Washington, who I lost track of after elementary school ended in 1968. She passed in 2000. I regret missing out on her and thanking her through the years. I will never forget her.

John Filardo and The Verges continue to educate me with their wit, humor, and continuing commitment to educating me a half-century later.

Wisdom and mentoring never go out of style.

Mr. Tony Verge in 1974.