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Joshua Greene

Mr. Peter Blair

UWRT 1103-021

6 February 2018

The Best is Least Expected

My scoutmaster, Mr. Rick, has been one of my most influential teachers, but on a first

glance he doesn’t look like the typical scoutmaster. He looks intimidating, like someone who

should be a part of a motorcycle gang, or anything not involving children. This can be seen by

his extensive tattoo collection covering his well-built and heavy-set frame, which is shown

through his common attire of tattered and well-worn clothing. Alongside this he has a shaved

head, usually covered by a camo hat, and a hearty beard that covered the majority of his neck.

Contrary to his tough look he is a very nice and caring man, and one of my favorite teachers. He

had earned his reputation as being such a great teacher by his endless care for his student’s

wellbeing, and his teaching style that makes us rely on each other and push each other to be our

best.

Mr. Rick had always cared for us, even when it seemed that he could no longer stand our

childish actions. The common phrase he loved to yell when we were misbehaving was, “TOE

TO LINE!” which, when yelled so loud that the kids who didn’t attend would be alerted, we all

would immediately scramble to the nearest crack in the floor and line our toes so perfectly that if

he were to slice a sword down the crack only the tips of our socks would be removed. Following

this startling order, he would then calmly address us to “at ease” and in a sincere reminder he

would explain our duty and rules which we had adopted. This was stated to help us understand

that there is a time and place for everything. We learned that there is a time to work and a time to
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play, and that he cared for us so much that he set us on the right path to get work done first. In

many other cases when students aren’t feeling well, or something seemed off Mr. Rick said that

he would listen to anything we had to tell him, and if it was a problem for us he would try his

best to fix it for us. By explaining this to us so numerous times it was clear that he wanted to

establish trust between us. During one of his talks about how he would do anything for us he

stated if for any instance we find ourselves in trouble, or if we were even arrested, he will be a

reliable contact who will try his best to help us and even bail us out of jail if he had to. Many

times, his students didn’t know how much he really meant that statement, but on one occasion on

a campout we learned that he meant every word. During a trip down the Virginia trails he was

riding his bike right alongside us all, when a man pedaled up and started to squeak his toy to

warn us to move over and let him by. One of his students wasn’t aware of this and kept riding in

front of the man until the guy had gotten so impatient he fell off his bike and started to curse at

the student wanted to start a fight. After everyone had stopped Mr. Rick had told the students to

keep on riding with the assistant scoutmaster and he will deal with this man. After we left them

to “talk” awhile all I know is that the man quickly pedaled past us with his head down and no

squeak of his toy. This event had quickly made us feel that he really cared for us. His concern for

us wasn’t just for our wellbeing and our path to achievement, but he also wanted to ensure our

spiritual health. Our meetings were held in a small building on church grounds, which was

another factor to his respect to religion during meeting. After meetings he would ensure all

members in the building was respecting our time of prayer by having everyone stand in silence

even if they are not part of the circle of students with their arms crossed and pinkies interlocked.

This was followed by a student or himself proceeding to bless the meeting and everyone

attending. Similar to his respect of everyone observing prayer at the end of the meeting he gave
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no less attention to assure that each member in the room stood for the nations pledge of

allegiance. This distinct attention to detail is there to ensure that we know that our spiritual

health is important and to grow our respect for the gratitude of the fallen soldiers for the country.

Alongside Mr. Rick’s strong concern about us he always makes sure that we are working

together to reach our goals and be better people. A common practice to teach us to hold each

other accountable is for each of us to remind the others to grab all their items before they left.

This was extremely tricky for us, as we were forgetful children who wouldn’t even notice that an

entire bookbag has been left. Even if one of us had noticed an item that was left it was usually

too late and the consequences would be anticipated for the next week. We all knew what the

consequence was when we forgot something, and that was to sing the song I’m a Little Teapot.

When the next meeting came is when the fun began, and as a result of all the members of the

troop not holding the individual responsible he would address the group that since an item was

forgotten we would all be singing to receive the item back. The entire troop would then proceed

to the front of the room with incredible humiliation as all the parents begin their video recordings

in anticipation to the performance we would soon endure. After hearing the first line timidly

sung by the member at fault, the entire troop would shortly follow in a quiet murmur of singing

accompanied with respective actions. Shortly after the group was all singing we would hear the

scratchy voice of Mr. Rick reciting the song right alongside us to make sure we all knew we

were in this together. This punishment was at times humiliating, but we had definitely learned to

rely on others for almost everything, not just to remember our left items. He had also set up the

meetings to ensure that all members were working towards their goals and that we are assisting

each other along the way. This was ensured by having the students lead the meetings and to have

us all discover the information needed to complete advancements. We also were accountable for
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ourselves as much as we were accountable for others, so it was very common to see older

members assisting younger members.

Although Mr. Rick seemed to be strict with us at times, I feel that it was to set us on a

track of success because he knew as well, or maybe better than us, that we weren’t going to

achieve all that we did if it wasn’t for his guidance. It is also seen that we were working together

a lot, and that may make us less independent, but I believe that if you can look out for yourself

and others, it is more work than just looking out for yourself. In the end I believe his care for us

has proven itself, and the care for our work is shown through his many students who have

received the highest rank in scouting. Furthermore, his teamwork-oriented teaching had made us

push each other to these achievements, as well as make many of us good, reliable friends. After

my completion of scouts I am still in contact with Mr. Rick and many of the fellow scouts.

Including the one who I spend every day with, as we share the same dorm.