A teacher's journey takes him not only through his own life, but through the lives of hundreds of students. The best teachers not only assist us in making sense of the world around us, but also impart to us something about how to make our own journeys. We continue to hear their voices long after we leave the classroom
Ralph Coate leaves an impression which can only be described as indelible. Those of us not fortunate enough to have had a place in his classroom ourselves have watched him challenge our children, inspiring them to reach farther, and work harder than they ever have before, to achieve well beyond what they thought was within their capacity.
In these pages, we, Ralph's admirers, have gathered just a few remembrances. We hope they convey the fondness held for Ralph in the hearts of his colleagues and the students to whom he has dedicated his career.
Valerie Bock
Spring 2007
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2 comments:
Grandpa
Many people don't know or even realize that Mr. Coate had a family outside of school. But to your supprise he had three children, 4 grandchildren, and a wonderful wife. No one will ever love or miss him more than his family. My family and I truly thank all of you for writing such wonderful things about him. He was a very wonderful, stong, and determined man. His plans for when he retired, as he told me before he passed away, was to go fishing, tend to his garden,and come to all of his grandchildrens football, soccer, and basketball games. He told me he wouldn't miss them for the world. Although he is not here watching in person I know he is watching in spirit. My grandpa passed away when I was only 16 years old of brain cancer. Although 16 years is just not long enough I have many amazing memories with him. Things that I will never forget. He inspired me to go on and do whatever I want with my life(as long as I went to college haha) He always told me to get an education so I would never need a man to depend on. I will never get the smell of his room out of my nose or me being 6 and walking into his room and seeing cats frozen spread out on the table. I think that scared me for life. My grandpa came to my soccer games when we would play Merridian. I never knew that he was there until I came over after practice just to sit and talk and he looked at me and said "Brittany Diane I found out what your job is on that soccer team." He said "It is the enforcer." When I asked him what that ment he replied "You are there to run people over and make sure that they dont get back up." We laughed for a good 20 minutes before we finally stopped. That would be that last soccer game he got to see me play. But my fondest memories were Christms mornings. I remember opening up all of my gifts at home so fast so I could go to grandmas and grandpas. He always made sure we got everything we could ever ask for. It was every little boys and girls dream. It was almost out of a movie. Gifts were everywhere in the house. This was his favorite time of year. He always loved to watch our faces light up as we saw our gifts.I picked out my favorite ,memories but if I could I would go on for hours. Grandpa did not get to enjoy his retirement. God must have had bigger plans for him. As my younger sister said,"Brittany do you think he could be in heaven teaching other kids who didnt get to have a chance here to learn?" I think this is what God had in his plans.
I wish I could have spent more time getting to know this smart man. But I can say something that many people cannot...he was my friend, teacher, inspiration, heart, rock, hero, but most of all he was my grandpa. Once again we thank you for all of your kind thoughts, words, and prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
Brittany
Hotwick
Wow my Grandpa,a headstrong determand man, he loved what he did... Its hard his loss for us
was so fast an unexpected, i no
it hit me hard. I didnt even
get to say goodbye to him. I cant
even discribe to you how hard it
still is, Most of you people
probably forget him already. But
me? I cry every singel day
at my last image of him before
he died sitting in a chair so
sick but then again so strong
and looked at me and said look at
my beautiful grand daughter.
Thats the last thing i
heard out of his mouth. You people
may of liked him and misses him
but you will never no him like
his family did. We new him threw
the goo and threw the bad. He was my rock and its hard to watch
your rock completly being distroyed right before your eyes, most people wont go on here anymore but thank you for your post. My Grandpa is teching kids
in heaven now, the kids that didint have the chance to be tought in his class. there learing from the best. <3
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