FOREVER A TEACHER

By Peter Vuono

     Throughout my youth it was necessary for me to get as much validation as I could from older men who were "father figures". One was Joe Zarella who was a Silver Star winner and a women's rights advocate. Another was Bob Backus an Olympian, Pan Am champ and world record holder.When I first met my friend Harvey, he was so strong that I thought he was in the Olympics. He's been advising me on training for 50 years.Recently one of the many men I looked up to was taken from us by cancer on November 5th.
    My gym teacher, Don Vanderstreet was a towering mountain of a man at 6"6". He carried himself well and although very sure of himself never possessed one iota of prima donna. Instead he carried around with him a perpetual smile, a twinkle and a knack for making people smile. He was a master of encouragement!
   One day in the cafeteria, one of my Special students-Patty- was talking to Don. When she came over to me, I asked,"Patty, what did you and Mr. Vanderstreet talk about?" She answered so simply and succinctly, "Nice things". This Special child so brilliantly summed up Don's life and persona. He always spoke "nice things" and left you laughing, smiling or just feeling good about yourself.
   One time in the 80's there was an introverted kid named Mike at the school. Mike loved weightlifting and was easily stronger than any 3 people. Yet Mike did NOT want to take gym. Don thought about it and asked me if Mike could train for gym credit at my ramshackle garage gym. Twice a week, Mike used his pick-up and hauled down a bar and bumper plates. He lifted vigorously and we engaged in great lifting conversation. Plus, thanks to Don Vanderstreet's superb improv, Mike got an "A"!
   The defining moment. however, which is indelible on my mind about Don's gift of encouraging came when I asked him if I could put on a school wide arm wrestling tournament. Don said,"sure" but it was NOT a small task. I had to borrow a truck from Joe Zarella and drive the one hour ride from Billerica to Brockton with a 250lb. stand up arm wrestling table chained to the bed of the truck. How I got it into school was a mystery.
   When the day did come and the kids pulled wrists with tenacity it resembled the movie"Over the Top" where Sly Stallone arm wrestled pro wrestler Magic Schwartz. The kids screamed, howled and made and had an uproariously good time!! After a couple of matches, I looked up to Don's office which had a huge picture window.
   He was looking down on me with a smile on from ear to ear which is just as vivid now as it was 40 years ago. It was a smile of encouragement that I'll carry with me always.That one smile gave me validation!
   Now, life has changed but it hasn't ended.  Thanks to these vivid memories Don continues to smile down on me; forever encouraging ,forever validating and being forever a teacher.


"If you bring one moment of happiness into the life of a child, you are a coworker with God"- Anonymous