This past weekend my 8th Grade English teacher and now long time friend and colleague, Kirk Taylor came to stay with my wife and me for the weekend. He brought his 13 year old son Graeme (a confessed sugar junkie). Graeme is the age that I was when I met his father, and coincidentally I am the age Kirk was when I met him. The trip was a two fold plan, to see more of Chicago and visit with us, but more importantly for the young child prodigy, Graeme Taylor, to check out the University of Chicago where he is considering going in the coming years after he becomes valedictorian and to assist him in becoming the leader of the free world and conquerer of Earth. Even better, the person who showed Graeme around the campus is Felipe, who was also a former student of Kirk Taylor in the 8th grade when Kirk taught in Bogota, Columbia. Kirk called the 4 of us “The G8 Summit”. In some ways, I think 8th grade is indeed the time when everything changes. Kirk Taylor was a major catalyst for that change with me and many other students who had the luck to have him as a teacher so many years ago.
Some highlights: I took Kirk to a screening of my second music video at a nightclub, while Petra showed Graeme the downtown Magnificent Mile. Felipe showed us all over the beautiful University of Chicago campus. We relaxed in the apartment, listened to music and finally visited with an old schoolmate of Kirk’s, Michael Roper who owns the Hopleaf (a favorite bar/restaurant that Petra and I frequent), for brunch.
Following that, Kirk and Graeme went on to see the Museum of Science and Industry before heading home to report back to their family about their action packed weekend.
View Photos HERE.
5 Comments
BrookeReid
That sounds like a great weekend!
I have to say that MY 8th grade English teacher is one that shaped me very much in my life and education. I can’t imagine being able to influence a bunch of goofball 8th graders, it truly takes a special person. How cool that you have had the opportunity to keep in touch and I’m sure it means so much to Kirk that he has made such an impact on his students.
admin
Yes. I think Kirk has changed many lives for the better in his years being a mentor to so many and showing us to be fearless in our pursuit of success, happiness and curiousity of the world. Life is for living.
Jay Robertson
Mr. Taylor was by far one of the 2 greatest teachers I had while I was in school. The other one was Ms. Julie Jones who I believe at one time told me she aspired to be like Mr. Taylor. Seems he impacted not only students, but teachers as well. If I would have had more teachers like them throughout High School I may have actually graduated.
I wouldn’t have recognized him if it wasn’t for the picture though, I haven’t seen him in 24 or more years.
Kirk, if you are reading this, thanks for keeping me busy when I was kicked off the school bus for 6 months in 8th grade (remember that Robb?).
admin
Hmm…I vaguely remember that, but I can’t remember why?
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DeSha
Great Shot Robbie 🙂
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