In the preceding brief set of testimonials on my teaching, I presented concise excerpts from student and parent letters. This document gives more complete quotes from those letters and adds additional testimonials not included in the brief set.
From Unsolicited Notes from Students Written Years After Leaving My Class
Seventh Grade Language Arts & Social Studies remains one of the most important (if not the most important) classes I've ever taken... I use the critical thinking and writing skills you taught us all the time when arguing for clients. And I'll never forget my stack of facts notecards from The Forest People or Le Morte d'Arthur. I even have my binder of all of your critical thinking materials!
[Y]our class had a tremendous impact on my learning! I'm now getting a Masters in Education, and I think all the time about the content we covered in your class: the learning curve, critical thinking, mapping causal connections, deconstructing "civilization." I think your class was more rigorous than anything I've taken since at Columbia, or here at the Harvard Ed School. I just wanted to write and thank you for what you gave me in that class.
I was just thinking of you tonight as I studied for finals (I'm a senior at UC Berkeley). I think of you now and again. Often its because I miss outdoor ed, or because I don't understand my boyfriend's lack of critical thinking skills, and I start to wonder where mine came from. I kind of think to myself...*is it too late to pull out the flow charts and make him read about the Pygmies?*…
I guess, I just wanted to thank you for the skills you gave me when I was a kid. I think they probably are likely to account for all of my success in high school and most of my success in college. Having a boyfriend (and best friend) who is entirely smart, but who was never challenged until college has been an interesting experience for me. Now applying to civil engineering grad schools, there is no doubt he's very intelligent, but he lacks so many of the skills I learned from you back in that freezing classroom at SF DAY... When I sat down with him this past weekend to brainstorm for his graduate application, I realized that he never really learned how to reflect. This self-reflection is something critical thinking gave me (along with my jesuit education at SI). It gave me the tools to analyze the world around me, and how i interact with that world. I admit the pygmies seemed so far away from my real world experience. I never thought that all those late nights, which were often filled with tears, as my dyslexic self tried to read chapters of the "forest people," would actually amount to something that would mean something in my life.
As an interdisciplinary major in Cross Cultural Health Systems, and Global Poverty Minor, I see my self constantly engaging with notions of the developed and the underdeveloped, the needs of the poor, understanding my role and how to make change. It wasn't until tonight, when I sat down with my notes from my global poverty core class (hopes and challenges of the new millennium) and dove head first into the land of welfare, the gramin bank, and dependency theory, amongst other things, that I thought of the exposure you gave me… I just wanted to say thanks for being the one teacher who sought to show us something different -something outside our comfort zones, and quite possibly outside the comfort zones of our parents and other educators. You gave us the ability to think about a whole different side of the world (one that I admittedly doubted actually existed).
I've spent a lot of time recently thinking about my past and how it molded me to become the person that I am today… I wanted to reach out to you so I could tell you how important your teachings have been to me in retrospect. Critical thinking, specifically. It is the core philosophy that I live my life by. It shaped the way I see my world and my place in it.
The things you taught me had the most profound and lasting impact. While I was extremely intimidated by you and was always worried about failing your class, ironically I think you may have been the one teacher who understood me best and saw me for who I really am. I have so much gratitude for that. …[Y]ou imparted rationality and important life skills that became my foundation moving forward. Thank you for that.
I wanted to reach out because the critical thinking skills you taught me back in 7th grade have been so important ever since. I didn't really get all that you were trying to teach us until later, but I wanted to let you know eventually it sunk in, and I used the flow charts and finding the causal factors years later.
So thank you for teaching us these important skills. I find it helpful whenever I read a book or the news or am trying to understand another point of view. I'm glad to hear you're still teaching! I'm trying to teach my younger students some of the same important skills.
Wanted to quickly touch base after many many years. You might remember me from SF Day school as a generally disruptive pupil... Be that as it may, I wanted to share something with you. This morning my wife and I were walking through [a] prospective new school for our little one, and the process made me think of my own school experiences back in the day. I can say unequivocally that your class was a fundamental and important building block of who I am today. While I certainly didn't realize it at the time, you opened many doors and the subjects we covered are deeply imprinted in my memory. Looking up at the library in my office I see the copy of Ohlone Way which has followed me since your class. I remember the deep rituals in Black Elk Speaks. The Mahabharata. Listening to "And She Was" as my first introduction to meditation. I just wanted to send this note, because sometimes folks need to hear how they have made a difference.
I am also emailing to let you know about a paper I wrote for my International Political Economy course this semester… While writing this paper, I was thinking of you and the impact you had on my development as a writer growing up. Reflecting on what you've taught me throughout the years, you were not only a great academic influence, but showed me what it means to be passionate about something. Especially since I've been struggling with deciding on a major, writing this paper has helped me to discover how I want to impact and make a difference in this world. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for showing me what passion is and being a person to look up to in my life. I've attached my paper and it would mean so much if you could read it!
Excerpts from Unsolicited Notes from Parents Written Years Later
In our minds, we've been writing this letter to you for at least a couple of years… Little did we realize when [our eldest daughter] entered your 7th Grade History class in the l996/l997 school year the effect you, your class and your teaching acumen would have on her personally. To you we attribute her excellent writing skills, her appreciation for history, and most importantly, her ability to think for herself… We have just finished reading her final essay for her 12th grade Advanced placement English class, upon which her favorite teacher critiqued, "This is one of the smartest 'long' essays I've ever read… you are an excellent writer!" Her papers have been wonderful examples of critical thinking…
John, simply put, we would like to express our appreciation for your efforts in working with our children to infuse skills that not only applied to a course of study at the time, but that have been applicable and reusable ever since, and will continue to be throughout their lives. We have been proud of our children for being able to think for themselves, to immerse themselves in something because they were interested and because they wanted to do well. When they were in your class they knew, on some level, that they wanted to extract every ounce of knowledge and expertise from a teacher they respected. You should know that you elicited that response in our children, and that we are grateful. You are an awesome teacher, Mr. Trapasso, and we sincerely wish you the best now and in the future.
I also wanted to add my personal thanks for all that you have contributed to the school and [to make] its reputation… You are exceptional, one of those truly gifted teachers and people whose “touch” will be remembered forever by all your students and colleagues.
I cannot imagine the Day School without you, as for me, you represent teaching at its very best. You challenged and stretched the students, made them want to do their best, inspired them to ask questions and to think in a probing manner, and made the material—even the dreaded Forest People—interesting to them. And in the process you established a great rapport with them. They knew you cared about them, and about your teaching, and they both respected and felt great affection for you.
I wish I could list the hundreds of students in whose lives you made a real difference, but I know two very well who still sing your praises and who will forever remember their time in your class and the invaluable lessons you taught them. I certainly share their gratitude.
… You are truly an inspired teacher and the Day School is so much the better for your involvement and leadership in the classroom.
It is with great sadness that I have to say goodbye to you as a Day School teacher. I’m sure you know what a huge impression you have made on many classes of Day School students. More than once, [my sons] have said how much they learned in your classes—you set a high standard and always worked hard to help your students achieve success.
Needless to say, you will be missed. You represent so much of what is special about SFDS and why our children are successful after they graduate.
Throughout our years at the school, John and I watched our kids become mature and responsible learners. We both feel that you have had significant influence in that growth. Without an exception, [our daughters] have acknowledged your teaching as having given them the skills to analyze and clarify the concepts they have been exposed to. They recognize that they know how to think and what to look for. [Our eldest daughter] says she uses skills she learned from you in her day to day research work… We all feel that you have provided substrate for a very fortunate group of life-long learners.
Last Sunday night at dinner, my [son and daughter] were reminiscing about what an amazing teacher you are and they wondered where you were… So, I decided to look you up on the Internet and I found you. Hope you are well and thriving. I also hope that the parents and students, who are at your school TRULY APPRECIATE the gift they have in you.
From Current and Recent Students and Parents
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done. From making class interesting and fun to teaching us and spending hours grading our papers. Thank you for teaching me to think for myself, think critically and come up with my own ideas. From sixth to eighth grade I have grown so much from your teaching and I have honestly noticed a major difference in my thinking… I would have been a completely different person and would have thought differently if not for you. I am able to think for myself now… You have opened my eyes to the world and I will remember all the stories you told us. When I think of Hilldale I think of us sitting in your classroom and laughing about something. I will miss being in your class next year. Thank you, Mr. T, for all you have done.
I must thank you immensely for many things. The first of these things is your excellent teaching of critical thinking. You have really helped to enable me to grow as a person. I must also thank you for expanding my interests. You made history an interesting topic that took me beyond words on a page in a book written by some faceless author. I appreciate all you have done for me and hope that you know of your importance in my life.
Thank you for being such an amazing, inspirational, kind, generous, and caring teacher! Thank you so much for teaching me stuff that I wouldn’t learn in a lifetime if it weren’t for you! I definitely have an elite education. Thank you for teaching me about critical thinking, Edward Bernays, politics, history, India, Russia, how to write an amazing analytical paragraph and essay, NSA and CIA, government, money, flow charts, houses of thought and so much more! I can’t put into words how lucky, grateful, and thankful I am to be your student! Thank you so much.
Thank you Mr. Trapasso for teaching me to not look at things from one point of view. You have taught me the skills I need to investigate topics and learn. For three years you taught me many things that other teachers would not have. You gave us a unique and amazing education.
Mr. Trapasso, you have been an amazing teacher. Not even a whole year with you has taught me a love of critical thinking. I love that you will only accept the best from all of us, and that pushes us to excel. Your class has been one of my favorites... I feel like I have improved a lot in writing, critical thinking, and my reading comprehension. Taking notes for Across Five Aprils really taught me a lot, because as I got nearer to the end, my reading comprehension improved and I could go back and find ideas I had missed. I look forward to spending the next two years with you. Thank you!
Wow. I don’t even know where to start. Mr. Trapasso, you have not only inspired me to do great things, but you have changed me in a good way. I know it’s only been a year and a half but it has felt like forever. You have taught a tremendous amount in a short period of time, its unreal. I am not only smarter, have more tools in my pockets, but I am a better person because of you. I am extremely grateful to have you as my teacher every day of the school year, and can’t wait to see you again in person next year. Every day you teach me something new, and I want to say thank you. I am a much better reader, writer, and thinker all because of you and what you have given me. I also want to say a huge thank you for believing in me when I didn’t and for pushing me to do better when I am in an obstacle. Without you and all the opportunities, tools, and learning skills you have given me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you so so so much, and I hope you are doing well.
I have enjoyed and admired your class immensely since I began middle school last year. Every day I look forward to learning something new from you and thinking harder. Thank you for helping me grow as a learner, critical thinker, writer and reader. The way I look at the world and the way I do things is so vividly different than before. I learn a lot and put my mind to things with your assignments because they motivate me to try harder, analyze, and really make my brain work. The tools and suggestions you give us are priceless, help me very much with everything, and will aid me in the future. The way you teach and present information is not like anybody else does. I am very lucky and appreciate to have you as a great role model and learn so many amazing things.
I just wanted to thank you for being an amazing teacher. You have helped me grow as a person and have taught me so many valuable lessons. You’ve shown me how to become a critical thinker and have given me advice that’s helped me look at things in a different way. Thank you for always being so kind and making sure I always know that it’s okay to ask for help. Thank you.
Our sincere gratitude for inspiring [our son] to learn again. We continue to witness the passion you bring out in him and the change is remarkable. Thank you for being a mentor and a scholar; for putting [him] back on track to succeed. Words cannot express how truly grateful we are.
Thank you for being such an outstanding teacher. You have taught me so many important lessons and values no teacher would. I am so grateful for how much you believe in me and my growth. The lessons you teach are intriguing and great. Thank you for being the best humanities teacher.
You are amazing! Thanks for everything you do for our kids and the many ways in which you challenge and inspire them. I have seen such amazing growth and passion in [my son] with respect to critical thinking and writing which is fully attributable to you!
Thank you for being such a great teacher. Since you have started to teach me I have grown so much academically, and I really appreciate that you give us such a great education. One of the reasons that I am grateful for this school is because you teach us so many things that we couldn’t learn anywhere else. I am very grateful, and I will always be grateful.
I am very grateful to have Mr. Trapasso as my teacher. I have learned so much in the past year. Your classes are fun and interesting. I have learned to write much better and how to read closely. And though your class is challenging, I always enjoy being part of it.
Thank you so much for everything you do for us. You taught me so much this year, and I always look forward to coming to class. You always helped me understand when I was struggling. You helped me see who I am and what I could be in the future. I had many different teachers throughout school years, but I never had such a special teacher whom I will always remember with fond memories. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and I am looking forward to one more wonderful year in your classroom.
First of all, I wanted to just say thank you. For the past three years, you have helped me grow as a writer, thinker, and reader. You always work hard to read our many writing projects, and I know you have been working very hard to read all of our Young Author Projects. Thank you for helping me hone my skills, sometimes skills that I didn’t even know I had. Thank you for listening to me last year when you were my mentor, and thank you for always checking in with the class during this hard time. For the past three years, you have slowly added different perspectives of the world, and you have helped me see the world differently. You also helped me realize that I should always think for myself, and I greatly appreciate that. Thank you for being an amazing teacher.
Mr. Trapasso
The name seems to say it all, but I’m going to say more. Although the majority of everyone reading this hasn’t had the privilege of being taught by Mr. John Trapasso, I’m sure most of you know who he is. Mr. Trapasso, or more commonly referred to by his students as “Trapasso,” is famous, funny, brilliant, but most importantly he’s truly inspirational. Although his primary purpose is to teach (and he does that fantastically) he always seems to go farther than that. Whether he’s cracking us up throughout his intriguing lessons and class discussions, or cracking us up with his hilarious impressions and ridiculously funny stories, he never fails to make it fun. I sat down to think of one word that best describes Mr. Trapasso, or shall I say a way to describe the “deepest causal factors” that shape his personality and who he is, and I couldn’t think of just one word. He’s a mixture of intelligence, sarcasm, humor, determination, immense passion, and of course the list goes on. He is made up of tablespoons and pinches of all of these amazing characteristics, and without the combination that he has, he wouldn’t be the fabulous teacher, mentor, and person that he is and has been to all of us. Although he’s leaving us, I am convinced that his presence will linger in the halls of San Francisco Day School for many days to come. He may be goin’ out, but I can assure you that he’s goin’ out in style. We love you, we’ll miss you, but most importantly…THANK YOU! You have enriched all of the lives that have been blessed enough to encounter your teaching and I am sure you will continue to enrich many more in the years to come.
From Unsolicited Notes from Students Written Years After Leaving My Class
Seventh Grade Language Arts & Social Studies remains one of the most important (if not the most important) classes I've ever taken... I use the critical thinking and writing skills you taught us all the time when arguing for clients. And I'll never forget my stack of facts notecards from The Forest People or Le Morte d'Arthur. I even have my binder of all of your critical thinking materials!
- From a graduate of the Groton School, Yale University, and Stanford Law School who presently works as a public defender
[Y]our class had a tremendous impact on my learning! I'm now getting a Masters in Education, and I think all the time about the content we covered in your class: the learning curve, critical thinking, mapping causal connections, deconstructing "civilization." I think your class was more rigorous than anything I've taken since at Columbia, or here at the Harvard Ed School. I just wanted to write and thank you for what you gave me in that class.
- From a graduate of Columbia University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education
I was just thinking of you tonight as I studied for finals (I'm a senior at UC Berkeley). I think of you now and again. Often its because I miss outdoor ed, or because I don't understand my boyfriend's lack of critical thinking skills, and I start to wonder where mine came from. I kind of think to myself...*is it too late to pull out the flow charts and make him read about the Pygmies?*…
I guess, I just wanted to thank you for the skills you gave me when I was a kid. I think they probably are likely to account for all of my success in high school and most of my success in college. Having a boyfriend (and best friend) who is entirely smart, but who was never challenged until college has been an interesting experience for me. Now applying to civil engineering grad schools, there is no doubt he's very intelligent, but he lacks so many of the skills I learned from you back in that freezing classroom at SF DAY... When I sat down with him this past weekend to brainstorm for his graduate application, I realized that he never really learned how to reflect. This self-reflection is something critical thinking gave me (along with my jesuit education at SI). It gave me the tools to analyze the world around me, and how i interact with that world. I admit the pygmies seemed so far away from my real world experience. I never thought that all those late nights, which were often filled with tears, as my dyslexic self tried to read chapters of the "forest people," would actually amount to something that would mean something in my life.
As an interdisciplinary major in Cross Cultural Health Systems, and Global Poverty Minor, I see my self constantly engaging with notions of the developed and the underdeveloped, the needs of the poor, understanding my role and how to make change. It wasn't until tonight, when I sat down with my notes from my global poverty core class (hopes and challenges of the new millennium) and dove head first into the land of welfare, the gramin bank, and dependency theory, amongst other things, that I thought of the exposure you gave me… I just wanted to say thanks for being the one teacher who sought to show us something different -something outside our comfort zones, and quite possibly outside the comfort zones of our parents and other educators. You gave us the ability to think about a whole different side of the world (one that I admittedly doubted actually existed).
- From a student in her senior year at the University of California at Berkeley; at present a Doctor of Pediatrics at University of California at San Francisco
I've spent a lot of time recently thinking about my past and how it molded me to become the person that I am today… I wanted to reach out to you so I could tell you how important your teachings have been to me in retrospect. Critical thinking, specifically. It is the core philosophy that I live my life by. It shaped the way I see my world and my place in it.
The things you taught me had the most profound and lasting impact. While I was extremely intimidated by you and was always worried about failing your class, ironically I think you may have been the one teacher who understood me best and saw me for who I really am. I have so much gratitude for that. …[Y]ou imparted rationality and important life skills that became my foundation moving forward. Thank you for that.
- From a graduate of Lowell High in San Francisco, the University of Southern California Film School, and worked in the Hollywood film industry
I wanted to reach out because the critical thinking skills you taught me back in 7th grade have been so important ever since. I didn't really get all that you were trying to teach us until later, but I wanted to let you know eventually it sunk in, and I used the flow charts and finding the causal factors years later.
So thank you for teaching us these important skills. I find it helpful whenever I read a book or the news or am trying to understand another point of view. I'm glad to hear you're still teaching! I'm trying to teach my younger students some of the same important skills.
- From a graduate of San Francisco University High School and Stanford University and now works as elementary school teacher overseas
Wanted to quickly touch base after many many years. You might remember me from SF Day school as a generally disruptive pupil... Be that as it may, I wanted to share something with you. This morning my wife and I were walking through [a] prospective new school for our little one, and the process made me think of my own school experiences back in the day. I can say unequivocally that your class was a fundamental and important building block of who I am today. While I certainly didn't realize it at the time, you opened many doors and the subjects we covered are deeply imprinted in my memory. Looking up at the library in my office I see the copy of Ohlone Way which has followed me since your class. I remember the deep rituals in Black Elk Speaks. The Mahabharata. Listening to "And She Was" as my first introduction to meditation. I just wanted to send this note, because sometimes folks need to hear how they have made a difference.
- From a former student who wrote when choosing a school for his child
I am also emailing to let you know about a paper I wrote for my International Political Economy course this semester… While writing this paper, I was thinking of you and the impact you had on my development as a writer growing up. Reflecting on what you've taught me throughout the years, you were not only a great academic influence, but showed me what it means to be passionate about something. Especially since I've been struggling with deciding on a major, writing this paper has helped me to discover how I want to impact and make a difference in this world. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for showing me what passion is and being a person to look up to in my life. I've attached my paper and it would mean so much if you could read it!
- From a student in her first year at the University of Puget Sound
Excerpts from Unsolicited Notes from Parents Written Years Later
In our minds, we've been writing this letter to you for at least a couple of years… Little did we realize when [our eldest daughter] entered your 7th Grade History class in the l996/l997 school year the effect you, your class and your teaching acumen would have on her personally. To you we attribute her excellent writing skills, her appreciation for history, and most importantly, her ability to think for herself… We have just finished reading her final essay for her 12th grade Advanced placement English class, upon which her favorite teacher critiqued, "This is one of the smartest 'long' essays I've ever read… you are an excellent writer!" Her papers have been wonderful examples of critical thinking…
John, simply put, we would like to express our appreciation for your efforts in working with our children to infuse skills that not only applied to a course of study at the time, but that have been applicable and reusable ever since, and will continue to be throughout their lives. We have been proud of our children for being able to think for themselves, to immerse themselves in something because they were interested and because they wanted to do well. When they were in your class they knew, on some level, that they wanted to extract every ounce of knowledge and expertise from a teacher they respected. You should know that you elicited that response in our children, and that we are grateful. You are an awesome teacher, Mr. Trapasso, and we sincerely wish you the best now and in the future.
- From parents whose two daughters I taught; the eldest was graduating from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco at the time
I also wanted to add my personal thanks for all that you have contributed to the school and [to make] its reputation… You are exceptional, one of those truly gifted teachers and people whose “touch” will be remembered forever by all your students and colleagues.
- From the principle founding Trustee of San Francisco Day School and Board Chair whose son I taught; written as I left the school after 14 years
I cannot imagine the Day School without you, as for me, you represent teaching at its very best. You challenged and stretched the students, made them want to do their best, inspired them to ask questions and to think in a probing manner, and made the material—even the dreaded Forest People—interesting to them. And in the process you established a great rapport with them. They knew you cared about them, and about your teaching, and they both respected and felt great affection for you.
I wish I could list the hundreds of students in whose lives you made a real difference, but I know two very well who still sing your praises and who will forever remember their time in your class and the invaluable lessons you taught them. I certainly share their gratitude.
… You are truly an inspired teacher and the Day School is so much the better for your involvement and leadership in the classroom.
- From a founding Trustee and Board Chair of San Francisco Day School whose two children I taught
It is with great sadness that I have to say goodbye to you as a Day School teacher. I’m sure you know what a huge impression you have made on many classes of Day School students. More than once, [my sons] have said how much they learned in your classes—you set a high standard and always worked hard to help your students achieve success.
Needless to say, you will be missed. You represent so much of what is special about SFDS and why our children are successful after they graduate.
- From a founding Trustee, Board Chair of San Francisco Day School, and parent of two sons I taught
Throughout our years at the school, John and I watched our kids become mature and responsible learners. We both feel that you have had significant influence in that growth. Without an exception, [our daughters] have acknowledged your teaching as having given them the skills to analyze and clarify the concepts they have been exposed to. They recognize that they know how to think and what to look for. [Our eldest daughter] says she uses skills she learned from you in her day to day research work… We all feel that you have provided substrate for a very fortunate group of life-long learners.
- From parents whose three daughters I taught; the eldest was working as a research scientist at the time
Last Sunday night at dinner, my [son and daughter] were reminiscing about what an amazing teacher you are and they wondered where you were… So, I decided to look you up on the Internet and I found you. Hope you are well and thriving. I also hope that the parents and students, who are at your school TRULY APPRECIATE the gift they have in you.
- From a parent reporting a conversation with her two children, my former students
From Current and Recent Students and Parents
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done. From making class interesting and fun to teaching us and spending hours grading our papers. Thank you for teaching me to think for myself, think critically and come up with my own ideas. From sixth to eighth grade I have grown so much from your teaching and I have honestly noticed a major difference in my thinking… I would have been a completely different person and would have thought differently if not for you. I am able to think for myself now… You have opened my eyes to the world and I will remember all the stories you told us. When I think of Hilldale I think of us sitting in your classroom and laughing about something. I will miss being in your class next year. Thank you, Mr. T, for all you have done.
- From an eighth grader
I must thank you immensely for many things. The first of these things is your excellent teaching of critical thinking. You have really helped to enable me to grow as a person. I must also thank you for expanding my interests. You made history an interesting topic that took me beyond words on a page in a book written by some faceless author. I appreciate all you have done for me and hope that you know of your importance in my life.
- From an eighth grader
Thank you for being such an amazing, inspirational, kind, generous, and caring teacher! Thank you so much for teaching me stuff that I wouldn’t learn in a lifetime if it weren’t for you! I definitely have an elite education. Thank you for teaching me about critical thinking, Edward Bernays, politics, history, India, Russia, how to write an amazing analytical paragraph and essay, NSA and CIA, government, money, flow charts, houses of thought and so much more! I can’t put into words how lucky, grateful, and thankful I am to be your student! Thank you so much.
- From an eighth grader
Thank you Mr. Trapasso for teaching me to not look at things from one point of view. You have taught me the skills I need to investigate topics and learn. For three years you taught me many things that other teachers would not have. You gave us a unique and amazing education.
- From an eighth grader
Mr. Trapasso, you have been an amazing teacher. Not even a whole year with you has taught me a love of critical thinking. I love that you will only accept the best from all of us, and that pushes us to excel. Your class has been one of my favorites... I feel like I have improved a lot in writing, critical thinking, and my reading comprehension. Taking notes for Across Five Aprils really taught me a lot, because as I got nearer to the end, my reading comprehension improved and I could go back and find ideas I had missed. I look forward to spending the next two years with you. Thank you!
- From a sixth grader
Wow. I don’t even know where to start. Mr. Trapasso, you have not only inspired me to do great things, but you have changed me in a good way. I know it’s only been a year and a half but it has felt like forever. You have taught a tremendous amount in a short period of time, its unreal. I am not only smarter, have more tools in my pockets, but I am a better person because of you. I am extremely grateful to have you as my teacher every day of the school year, and can’t wait to see you again in person next year. Every day you teach me something new, and I want to say thank you. I am a much better reader, writer, and thinker all because of you and what you have given me. I also want to say a huge thank you for believing in me when I didn’t and for pushing me to do better when I am in an obstacle. Without you and all the opportunities, tools, and learning skills you have given me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you so so so much, and I hope you are doing well.
- From a seventh grader
I have enjoyed and admired your class immensely since I began middle school last year. Every day I look forward to learning something new from you and thinking harder. Thank you for helping me grow as a learner, critical thinker, writer and reader. The way I look at the world and the way I do things is so vividly different than before. I learn a lot and put my mind to things with your assignments because they motivate me to try harder, analyze, and really make my brain work. The tools and suggestions you give us are priceless, help me very much with everything, and will aid me in the future. The way you teach and present information is not like anybody else does. I am very lucky and appreciate to have you as a great role model and learn so many amazing things.
- From a seventh grader
I just wanted to thank you for being an amazing teacher. You have helped me grow as a person and have taught me so many valuable lessons. You’ve shown me how to become a critical thinker and have given me advice that’s helped me look at things in a different way. Thank you for always being so kind and making sure I always know that it’s okay to ask for help. Thank you.
- From a seventh grader
Our sincere gratitude for inspiring [our son] to learn again. We continue to witness the passion you bring out in him and the change is remarkable. Thank you for being a mentor and a scholar; for putting [him] back on track to succeed. Words cannot express how truly grateful we are.
- From the parents of a seventh grader; followed by a note from their son
Thank you for being such an outstanding teacher. You have taught me so many important lessons and values no teacher would. I am so grateful for how much you believe in me and my growth. The lessons you teach are intriguing and great. Thank you for being the best humanities teacher.
- From the seventh grader discussed above by his parents
You are amazing! Thanks for everything you do for our kids and the many ways in which you challenge and inspire them. I have seen such amazing growth and passion in [my son] with respect to critical thinking and writing which is fully attributable to you!
- From a seventh grade parent and Hilldale School Board member; followed by a note from their son
Thank you for being such a great teacher. Since you have started to teach me I have grown so much academically, and I really appreciate that you give us such a great education. One of the reasons that I am grateful for this school is because you teach us so many things that we couldn’t learn anywhere else. I am very grateful, and I will always be grateful.
- From the seventh grader discussed above by his parents
I am very grateful to have Mr. Trapasso as my teacher. I have learned so much in the past year. Your classes are fun and interesting. I have learned to write much better and how to read closely. And though your class is challenging, I always enjoy being part of it.
- From a seventh grader
Thank you so much for everything you do for us. You taught me so much this year, and I always look forward to coming to class. You always helped me understand when I was struggling. You helped me see who I am and what I could be in the future. I had many different teachers throughout school years, but I never had such a special teacher whom I will always remember with fond memories. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and I am looking forward to one more wonderful year in your classroom.
- From a seventh grader
First of all, I wanted to just say thank you. For the past three years, you have helped me grow as a writer, thinker, and reader. You always work hard to read our many writing projects, and I know you have been working very hard to read all of our Young Author Projects. Thank you for helping me hone my skills, sometimes skills that I didn’t even know I had. Thank you for listening to me last year when you were my mentor, and thank you for always checking in with the class during this hard time. For the past three years, you have slowly added different perspectives of the world, and you have helped me see the world differently. You also helped me realize that I should always think for myself, and I greatly appreciate that. Thank you for being an amazing teacher.
- From an eighth grader
Mr. Trapasso
The name seems to say it all, but I’m going to say more. Although the majority of everyone reading this hasn’t had the privilege of being taught by Mr. John Trapasso, I’m sure most of you know who he is. Mr. Trapasso, or more commonly referred to by his students as “Trapasso,” is famous, funny, brilliant, but most importantly he’s truly inspirational. Although his primary purpose is to teach (and he does that fantastically) he always seems to go farther than that. Whether he’s cracking us up throughout his intriguing lessons and class discussions, or cracking us up with his hilarious impressions and ridiculously funny stories, he never fails to make it fun. I sat down to think of one word that best describes Mr. Trapasso, or shall I say a way to describe the “deepest causal factors” that shape his personality and who he is, and I couldn’t think of just one word. He’s a mixture of intelligence, sarcasm, humor, determination, immense passion, and of course the list goes on. He is made up of tablespoons and pinches of all of these amazing characteristics, and without the combination that he has, he wouldn’t be the fabulous teacher, mentor, and person that he is and has been to all of us. Although he’s leaving us, I am convinced that his presence will linger in the halls of San Francisco Day School for many days to come. He may be goin’ out, but I can assure you that he’s goin’ out in style. We love you, we’ll miss you, but most importantly…THANK YOU! You have enriched all of the lives that have been blessed enough to encounter your teaching and I am sure you will continue to enrich many more in the years to come.
- From a San Francisco Day School student, Kate Cohen, written as an article in the school newspaper upon my departure from the school in 2002