Teacher Taught Students By Example to #StandTall

Patch and When the Game Stands Tall are asking about the coaches, teachers or mentors who inspired you.

Beth Usher’s mentor was a teacher at Goodwin Elementary School

Mentor Name: Steve DeanKnown Mentor for: 30 years years

School: Goodwin Elementary

Town: Mansfield

State: Connecticut

What mentor taught about success: Mr. Dean taught me that even though I struggled with seizures and the effects of radical brain surgery I had talents and was important. He helped me find ways to exercise and enjoy physical education.

What mentor taught about dealing with failure: Mr. Dean taught me never to give up and try, try again. He always found a way to encourage me to improve even when I struggled with a weak right side and wanted to give up.

Best advice from mentor: Mr. Dean teaches by example. He is always kind to everyone and looks fo r that special talent in each of the students he teaches. I try to emulate this in my life. When I was recuperating from brain surgery and couldn’t participate in Fun Day, he had a special one for me and another child. He found solutions that brought joy to my life! This picture is from that day in 1988!