OTTAWA, Ill. (AP) — In the mid-1990s, Ryan Nevins was a student of English instructor and Starved Rock storyteller Bill Myers in classes at Ottawa High School.
Nevins, who became a high school English teacher himself and became personal friends with his former teacher over the years, gave Myers credit as his inspiration for his career in education.
Following Nevins' untimely death — as fate would have it — Myers, who retired from teaching full time at OHS and Marquette Academy years ago, accepted the school's request of becoming Nevins' long-term substitute taking over the English classes of his former student.
Months before his death from cancer April 8 at the age of 38 — in an interview for a news article about his mentor — Nevins explained his long relationship with his former instructor.
"Myers' passion and his love of literature helped me decide to go into teaching and teaching English," Nevins said. "In fact, my personal philosophy (of classroom instruction) is based on his style and approach of teaching. These days, my friendship with Bill remains important to me, because I have always looked up to him not only as a great teacher, but always as a leader."
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Myers stepped in.
"I was deeply honored to be asked to take over Ryan's classes, but, at the same time, was heartsick at the circumstances," Myers said. "I felt the tremendous responsibility to carry the flag forward for such a great person, husband, father and teacher."
Myers said Nevins' students quickly became his students.
"We finished lessons on 'Romeo and Juliet' and had other assignments for the weeks I was here such as essay writing, poetry and interpretive homework," Myers said. "I also shoved grammar down my kids' throats while I was there, because they needed it."
Recalling speaking at Nevins' funeral in April, Myers said, "I picked a piece from Edgar Lee Masters' 'Spoon River Anthology' about a dead man named George Gray speaking from his grave who had wasted his life away being afraid to live life.
"Ryan was never afraid. He lived his life to the fullest at home, at work, at play. He put real meaning in the few years he had in life.
"The last time I saw Ryan was during a lunch we shared last fall. During our conversation, I remember how he pounded on the table and said 'Damn it. We only get one chance to live a life. You got to live it.' I will never forget that."
Myers said taking on the classes was physically and emotionally draining for him.
"But, as we went along, the students and I felt like Ryan was with us each and every day during our studies. I hope I did some good for him. I believe I did."
In the classroom that once belonged to Nevins — after Myers took over — students quickly saw the similarities between the two teachers. The two teachers were dynamic instructors who push their passion for literature and life onto their classes.
"It was awesome to be in Mr. Nevins' class," said freshman Molly Harris. "He always made his lessons fun in a learning environment. In many ways, Mr. Myers, when he became our teacher, kept the memory of Mr. Nevins alive."
Classmate Kekoa Gross, 15, agreed.
"Mr. Myers was in a tough spot replacing Mr. Nevins," Gross said. "Like Mr. Nevins, Mr. Myers taught us not only about English and literature, but also how to live our lives. Mr. Nevins, like Mr. Myers, was a great guy."
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Source: The (Ottawa) Times,
