Michael Terry Kaiser

I hired Mike as an intern teacher in Jamestown, California in about 1972-3. It was the best move I ever made. The circumstances were notable and I was there was room to share them. For now, suffice it to say he arrived on a scorching hot Saturday morning in a well-tested Chevvy 4 door loaded with everything he owned and a cat that owned him.
In my 25 years in the classroom I never saw anyone who compared to Mike. He was a gifted teacher/learner. It broke our hearts at little Jamestown School when he left for Oakland and marriage. He was the standard by which I rated other colleagues. No one came close. Ever.
I never saw Mike again although I did locate him in Troutdale many years ago. I was reminded of Mike tonight on Facebook by a student who remembers him with great respect after more than 50 years.

Michael T, your Godson and I talk about you often, remembering the silly times, the learning times, the helping times. You are no longer running against the wind. You are the wind. If there is an alternative school in heaven for disadvantaged souls, you will surely be the head teacher. With one of the young students on your shoulders.
Your buddy Nugeen.

Digging through things from my past and just came across my GED. As a very troubled youth with zero expectations for myself I eventually ended up in alternative education. Though a very bumpy road, it was Mike who got me through and encouraged me to be more human. To be more honest to myself. To try. That GED has taken me beyond my dreams. To engineering. To leader, and more importantly, to encourage others in the same way. Rest in peace friend and teacher. And yes, still taking photos and loving the mountains.

Mike had a picture on his desk that showed him on the school playground at West Fargo where he taught. He was surrounded by smiling, laughing students, and he was carrying one on his shoulders. They loved him and knew he cared about them. That´s Michael Kaiser, world class teacher.