Tonight, one daughter gets a trip by herself with Mom and Dad. She’ll be going to a family fun night at her new school. 

To support teachers, please consider a donation to the Beaverton Education Foundation’s “1 Campaign”. You don’t have to live in Beaverton to say “thanks”. 

Bill Fox, Science, Perry Jr. High School, 1980, Perry, Iowa

Mr. Fox, (and I only knew him as Mr. Fox, I believe Bill was his first name) was a science teacher in 8th grade science. He did some amazingly great experiments.

Once, he lay on a bed of nails with a board on his chest, then let a student hit him with a big sledge hammer to show how the force is dissipated over a large area.

Quite often, he exploded lithium & potassium in water to give big explosions, show how some metals react, and probably to scare the kids.

I remember his love of Penn State and Joe Paterno. I remember the lab tables in his room.

And I remember one time, when he had to step out for half of a class, how he put me in charge. And with the principal overseeing us, I remember how I attempted to explain some problems to the class. I remember being clever enough to ask someone to try to work a problem if I didn’t understand it, saving myself much embarrassment. It may have been the only time in my adolescence when someone asked me to teach a class.

Like so many great teachers, Mr. Fox’s enthusiasm inspired me through his passion, through his demonstrations and his trust in me. 

Thanks Mr. Fox!