Pass The Quilt

We laid to rest one of America’s greatest Teachers last weekend.  Even as I write this short memorial, it’s hard to complete sentences without rambling about all the details of the 6th Grade.  John (AKA Tony) Chung taught at Bethune Elementary School in San Diego, the heart of the Filipino American community that came on the same ship, rather the same Fleet.  We were almost all Fil-AM Navy Brats.  He may have been responsible for the most Filipinos making it into the professional world. 

This man was passionate about his work, about his students, and in short he was family.  And he made education an integrated part of this family.  I’m going to call myself out and say I was on Filipino time everyday of the school calendar, but when I was in that classroom I loved it and I learned…bottom line.  He was no nonsense about preparation, and was no nonsense about celebrating our cultural contributions to society.  From 6-8th grade I learned all I needed in math in 6th Grade.  And the potlucks…it was a Filipino Festival with a fusion of Soul.  And when it was bring your music records from home day, it was on and poppin’ (just don’t laugh at your BeeGees hits, or the day ends early).  He was so cool, parents would bring a McDonald’s lunch to the kids and leave him a Big Mac. 

Before I get too carried away with the memories, I’ll get the point.  We were a bunch of punk kids whose parents worked mad hours to pay the bills.  We spent many days with ourselves like the little rascals.  There were fights in the canyon, teasing on the playground…but we had a profound respect for education and our educator.  We weren’t 6th Grade nothings, and many of us became very respectable, if not super adults.  I’m just saying sometimes it takes a remarkable 6th Grade teacher to make it come together. 

Look at the picture.  Bungalows, gravel playing field, and it was the greatest experience.  People make the difference.  We have lots of talent in the community. Thank you Mr. Chung for helping us realize our potential.