Mr. Hause is the Cause of My Discourse - A Tribute

I well remember my junior year of high school. I also well remember a full course of study and my tendency to let certain assignments slide without much effort when the load got heavy or I just wanted to socialize and not study. English was always pretty easy for me, so I sometimes put less effort than I should into my work. I'd "get by" when more effort would always make a work better. It's still a weakness of mine.

There was somebody in my educational life who expected my best even when I didn't see the need immediately. If I was going to do something, I may as well do it well.

Mr. Hause of Port Angeles Senior High School, my high school English teacher, taught me the mechanics of English and writing. What he really taught me, though, was the worth of high expectation of self when producing a work of language art.

I still remember his question to me when disappointed at my work on occasion, "Jerri, is this your best?" I also remember begrudgingly answering his question in front of my peers, though he knew the answer, "No." I also knew why he asked. I learned.

He taught me not to use dangling participles. He taught me the worth of grammatical principles. His most important lesson, though? I could do better. Always.

Writing has always been a love affair of mine. It comes easily because I have been exposed to great writing examples via life and academic instructors. I still strive to do better to this day as a result of this teacher's demands. When it came to education, his demand for the best became my demand for the best.

He got it after I "got" it.

He knew his students and expected them to put out top caliber work when given an assignment. He also knew the tendency to dribble sometimes when one should be shooting baskets.

He was a quiet man, a quiet teacher. He was a respected man. He was a demanding teacher. I still think of him, though I have not kept in touch. I do not know where his life has taken him. But I do still hear his voice, "Jerri, is this your best?"

I know where his caring has taken me in this life. His English lessons were important; his life lessons were critical to my professional character. I know when my work is my best; I know sometimes when it isn't. But it's a choice I make and a choice I take to heart because of him. I accept what I reap.

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