AdvanceBlog

In a sense, I guess we can say the dismissal bells of life have rang for Jerome Griffith.  This immense sadness with which we are feeling due to his passing is only surpassed by the incredible joy we recall when thinking about our experiences with him.  As has been said all too often, we never really miss what we have until it’s gone – I guess that’s what makes us human, ever idealistic that these moments, these friends, these love ones will be with us forever.  Griff has reminded us of the error in those assumptions.

When I met Griff, I was a novice administrator and he was one of the teachers in my department.  His charming, personable manner endeared him to many.  Moreover, the effectiveness of his instruction resonated throughout the building.  Say what you may, but this brother could TEACH!!  I would often kid him about one of his evaluations, when he began to believe the lesson wasn’t going as it should.  I was already impressed, but his personal expectations were higher than what could be measured on an evaluative rubric.  So suddenly, he rolls up his sleeves, kicks off his shoes and commences to deliver one of the most outstanding lessons I’ve ever seen.  The lesson was an introduction to compound words, and like a great composer at work, he was conducting, teaching, assessing, engaging and inspiring those students to level of comprehension so impacting that in the years that have passed I still marvel when I see the word down/town.

Maybe that was it.  Whenever you meet someone passionate about their craft, it sticks with you.  It becomes a measuring stick used against everyone else.  It carves its own space in your memory and moreover, it can become a tipping point in your life.

I am honored to have worked with Griff.  More than being a phenomenal teacher, language arts extraordinaire, he is my friend.  When I saw him and a few other former colleagues at a recent teacher conference, for a moment we were all family.  Together, we shared hugs and a few quick laughs and then we departed to our respective sessions.  I suppose that’s life; for a moment, we’re together sharing good times and a few quick laughs – then we depart pursuing our own respective journeys.  But at that moment, I never expected that I wouldn’t see my friend Griff again.  That’s Griff; even in passing he teaches a lesson.  Rest in peace my friend.

Griff, Harris & Radzik - our Second Grade Team