If you happen to be a reader who has attended some of my live events, you may have heard parts of this story before, but some things are worth repeating.
This week I received a note from Bart Nadolski, the son of Edward Nadolski, a guy who graduated from Bisbee High School in 1959, three years ahead of me. His father had recently passed away, and Bart was reading, Trial by Fire, an Ali book where Bart’s grandfather’s name appears on the dedication page.
The dedication reads as follows: In memory of Anthony Nadolski and to Ernie Gabrielson, two outstanding Bisbee educators. I didn’t meet Ernie Gabrielson when he was in Bisbee, but after teaching there he went on to have a long career in Cottonwood. I met him when his wife hosted one of my signings—complete with a cake that matched the cover of the then-current book. Ernie became a devoted fan and remained so long after his wife passed away.
Anthony Nadolski was another story entirely. He stayed put. He was my principal for most to the time I was attending schools in Bisbee—from kindergarten through sixth grade at Greenway and during all four years at Bisbee High.
Mr. Nadolski was a tall, thin, but broad-shouldered man who always dressed in impeccable suits and ties. I don’t believe I ever once heard him raise his voice.
As a kid, I was a regular stumble-bum. My mother used to claim that there was never a school play or Sunday school program when I didn’t have a scraped knee or two. The worst of those happened on Mr. Nadolski’s watch. I was giving Linda Englander a piggy-back ride when I tripped, fell, and ripped my knee open on the newly gravel-paved playground.
I went straight to the office where Mr. Nadolski bandaged it up and sent me home. It was an ugly gash. Once my mother soaked off the bandage, she took one look at the damage and then had to sit down and put her head between her knees for a time before she could shape up and finish the job.
I believe she said something to the effect that I should have gone to the ER, but given that ER visits cost money which was always in short supply, she did what she had to do, fixing me up with bandaids and Bactine. (By the way Busk kids lucked out on that score. Evie believed in Bactine and NOT that dreaded red Mercurochrome which, fortunately, is no longer available.)
By the way, that one-and-a-half inch scar is still front and center on my knee.
Given all of that, you may be wondering why I called him a wonderful educator in that dedication, and I’m about to tell you: He’s the reason I’m a writer. Without his being my elementary school principal, that might never have happened.
At Greenway School, each grade had two separate classrooms. Mrs. Kelley and Miss Geraldine in first grade; Mrs. Spangler and Mrs. Barker in second. It was Mr. Nadolski who decided which kid went where. I don’t know how he happened to place me in Mrs. Spangler’s class, but he did, and that made all the difference.
In her room, over under the windows were shelves filled with Mrs. Spangler’s own books. If students finished their work early, they could go to those shelves and choose a book to take back to their desks to read. It was among Mrs. Spangler’s books that I discovered the inspired works of Frank Baum. I was fascinated by his Oz stories, but what struck me most was that somewhere, a living, breathing person had put all those words on the pages, and that’s what I wanted to do—put words on pages, something I’ve been doing now for a very long time.
Thanks to Mr. Anthony Nadolski who, when dividing up that bunch of fifty or so second graders, chose to put me in the right one!
By the time I was in seventh grade, Mr. Nadolski had moved up from Greenway to Bisbee High School. There were approximately 800 students there at the time, and he knew all of us by name—not just the bad kids or the good kids. He made it his business to know ALL the kids.
During our senior year, Anthony Nadolski, always Mr. Nadolski to us, was diagnosed with lung cancer. I don’t know how old he was, but I’m guessing somewhere in his fifties. He passed away prior to our graduation. His photo was front and center in that year’s Cuperite, Bisbee High’s yearbook.
I didn’t have a chance to thank him in person in back in 1962 because, at that point in my life, I had no idea of how much that one decision on his part, the one that placed me in Mrs. Spangler’s class, would impact my whole life.
I’m thanking him now by passing along these personal recollections for the benefit of his family who are now grieving for the current loss of Mr. Nadolski’s son, Edward.
As I said above, better late than never.
Another great Friday blog! I was having trouble getting here, not sure if it was something with my system or this site. Somehow I found my way to be able to leave a reply.
Again, your words take me down a trip through my own school experiences making me able to better understand yours. Our minds don’t process life experiences then as they do now at our current ages. I’m sure your principal seemed “old” to you then, but he was “only” in his fifties. But, thanks to him we have your wonderful books to entertain our brains. I am also thankful to him.
Indeed, Better Late Than Never…
Great.
Hindsight can sometimes be such a gift. What we don’t understand at one point becomes clear and comes into a totally different perspective as we get older.
Loved your post..
Our most sincere gratitude for this decision as well.
As an educator, I was blessed to have some many wonderful teachers in the short desks that faced me for 25 years. I prayed daily that I would ignite a love for learning for wherever their lives led them. When asked what I taught, what my favorite subject was, my answer invariably was that I taught them how to learn.
Thank you, Judy, for what YOU have taught me in the pages of your books so that I could share that with my students.
I so look forward to your Friday blog. Another wonderful read, and it is never too late to say Thank You.
Blessing to you and Bill.
I had a teacher similar to yours. Mr. Turley was my drafting teacher, he knew I wanted to be a architect but I did not have the resources for college. 1965 was not the best for a young guy to turn 18. Mr.Turley called me several months after high school graduation and found me a drafting job with the local utility company. Spent 35 years there in the drafting and engineering departments. I did get my college degree (1979) courtesy of the GI bill after serving 4 years in the Air Force. When Mr Turley passed away I did go to the funeral home and thank him. His phone call changed my life.
Like you I had a GREAT teacher in my life. My father was a mathematic genius but I was a “dud”. Until I entered the math class of Miss Strem. It was like the clouds opened up & the sun shined. I went on to a career where math was demanded & worked there for over 40 years. Thank you, Miss Strem.
Thank you for a wonderful tribute to Mr. Nadolski. It brought back many memories of several great teachers who guided and formed me through the years, and also to the not so great ones who did the same via their actions. They have all shaped me in one way or another.
If you loved the Baum books, I hope you’ve read “Finding Dorothy”. Fascinating story of Frank Baum & how the Oz books came about.
I went to Metzger (Oregon) Elementary School in the early ’50s. Our principal was Delbert Fennell, a tall, Abraham Lincoln-type. Mr. Fennell was loved and respected. No one wanted to be sent to the principal’s office – not from fear – but not to disappoint Mr. Fennell. Mr. Fennell went on to be District Superintendent, and the Tigard High School auditorium is named after him.
Great blog.
I bet this article brings back many memories for all of us! Thanks for the memories! I quit biting my nails in 6th grade because my teacher, Mrs. Personette, had pretty nails. Teachers do make such imprints on all their students’ lives! From typing class to algebra and geometry to biology, the fruit of their presence shows in my life even today (74yo). Thank you, teachers!
This brought tears to my eyes. People who had a great effect on a persons life are treasures indeed. I have had several that had a great impact on me that remains to this day. Sophia
Thank you for your “thank you” to a teacher/principal.” As a retired teacher myself it is always wonderful to hear from former students and see how they are doing. And, a thank you is very special–warms the heart and reminds you why you chose to teach.
Gratitude experienced is so health-ful (not a word, I’m sure, but it’s what I mean, so I’m using it!), but gratitude expressed is beneficial to so many others. Thanks for not keeping it to yourself.
This story brought tears. Most many of us have had people in our past who have made a very large impact in our lives. Those individuals are treasures indeed and have contributed to what we are today. I have had several and never forgotten them for shaping me in a very positive way.
This blog made my eyes weep. Many of us are lucky to have had one of more individuals who have been very important to us in shaping our lives in a positive way. Mr.Nadolski was certainly that for you. I have also had several who have been who have shaped my life in such a way. Bless them all.
I went to a much smaller school than yours and there was only one class for each grade until fifth grade. First grade was combined with second grade and I spent most of class time listening to the second graders read; and not doing my homework. Second grade was a different school as we had moved to a farm. My teacher was Miss Cushman and in the back of the room under the windows was the school library. My seat was at the back of the classroom and I spent all of second grade retrieving a book and reading it instead of any class work. Teacher decided I was quiet and left me alone. I don’t know how I learned to read but it happened magically between first and second grade
I remember Mr. Nadolski and I had Miss Geraldine and Mrs. Spangler as teachers!
Always a joy to read your thoughts, JA. <3
You have honored our entire family with your emails to my brother and this blog. We did not have the chance to know our grandfather. We’d been told he was a great man by our grandmother, but hearing this from someone who got to experience his greatness in a way that was life changing is incredible. Our dad (Edward) was a quiet hero, always doing for others without asking or respecting something in return. I now feel his generous and kind heart, in part, came from our Grandad Nadolski’s example. He (Edward) was a true legacy to his father; and now it is our turn to carry it on.
Speaking of thank you’s, I just finished “Overkill”, having started it yesterday evening. Thank you for writing it, what a great book, maybe my all time favorite of yours!
One wonderful thing about all your books is character development, the way you make so many real, compelling personalities, sometimes with only a tiny role to play in the book, but clearly having a three dimensional life outside what we are reading. It’s masterful, and I don’t think you get enough recognition for this feat.
Ceci
Hi Judy
I remember Mr. Nadolski as the principal of Greenway during my year in Kindergarten. I remember one incident quite vividly. I was in the afternoon Kinder class. We had to line up in front of the auditorium and wait for Mrs Moser to walk us to our class.(They wanted to keep us separated from the other inmates.) It must have been at beginning of the year because my brother Phil was standing there with me. His job was to make sure I made it to school and didn’t wander off. Anyway, this particular day two large eighth grade boys had been fighting. Mr. Nadolski had one under each arm carrying them up the steps to the office. It was very impressive sight. Before Phil died, I asked if he remembered that incident. He did remember it quite clearly. He named the two combatants (who remain unnamed).
By the way, the man who followed Mr. Nadolski at the high school was not to great with remembering names. He referred to most of the males by the name Gabe. Hey Gabe, you need a haircut was a common comment from him.
very nice tribute
This was so touching Judy. It sure brings back my sweet memories of Elementry school and the teachers I loved. ( I had a horrible woman, won’t call her a teacher) in 5th grade who even made the boys cry. Wish I didn’t remember her….
As always, a wonderful story. Reminded me of my Junior High School English teacher, Mrs. Kimball. She complimented me on my book reports, but finally said she would no longer accept them on books about horses. She said I needed to read about other things. It was the best advice I got while in school and I am so grateful she changed my direction as I am an avid reader of almost anything. However, your books take priority over all the subjects that catch my attention because I can’t put them down.
I just finished Overkill and it was a thriller for sure. I got it at the Redmond book store for your pre-autograph and also made it to 3rd Place Books for your appearance. Thank you!!
That is an amazing inspirational story. Strange how one change in our lives can shape it from then on. Thank you for sharing this story with us and grateful you had such wonderful memories.
Welp…made me cry…
Lovely memories and your recall is fabulous. I have NO idea who my first grade or any grammar school teachers were. You amaze me.