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Sunday, September 28, 2003

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1. I recently read Rafe’s book and was fascinated, too. I worked with Rafe when he was still an undergraduate, when we were both after-school day care counselors at the Westside Jewish Community Center. His attitude was much the same back then–that’s where the Disneyland trips first started, and the plays–he did “Tommy” with 8-10 year olds…

   Really do need to send him a post…

   Comment by mdc — October 8, 2003 @ 5:34 pm

2. how interesting that a coworker should wander into this corner of the net…

   send him my best! and let me know when there’s a tommy revival in the works

   Comment by roj — October 10, 2003 @ 10:53 pm

3. Thanks for your blog on Rafe! I was part of his afterschool drama childcare group at the Westside Jewish Community Center and now I’m an assistant professor at Cal State Hayward in Communication. His teaching style inspires me on a daily basis to bring a different type of energy and approach to my lecture material. I only understood Shakespeare when I embodied it as a child actor with Rafe’s group. So as the Earl of Gloucester in King Lear, having my eyes pulled out during that infamous scene gave me the light of Shakespearian literature. And so I try to make learning an embodied experience as well: fun, meaningful, where theory meets practice.

   Lonny J Brooks
   Assistant Professor
   Dept. of Communication
   Cal State Hayward
   lbrooks@csuhayward.edu

   Comment by Lonny Brooks — November 18, 2003 @ 3:12 pm

4. quite welcome… and thanks for dropping into my corner of the net.

   if you’re still in touch, do send on my regards.

   Comment by roj — November 20, 2003 @ 3:57 am

5. Saw Rafe on FOX News and wow! We have a 1 yr old and 5 yr old and we worry so much for their education. My prayers are that some of his students grow up to be teachers and move to Panama City Beach, FL…..I “get” what he means and am 100% inspired. Wish I knew what to do with it to be shared with my children. I will read h beginis books and teach the fundamentals which should start with me.

   Comment by Tania — November 21, 2003 @ 1:09 pm

6. Dear Mr. Esquith,
   I have just finished reading your book,”There are no shortcuts” I am a home manager and mother of five. CBC’s interview brought your book into my hands ,it brought me to tears and laughter, you are incredibly inspirational! I love your book,I think it would make a great movie! True stories are the best kind. The world would benefit by your insight and wisdom,you have a unique and wonderful way of teaching, you help me to be a better parent. I’d like all of our children’s teachers to read your book, that could be possible! I’ll work on that!

   Comment by yvonne marshall — February 5, 2004 @ 12:54 pm

7. Wow! Your book has changed my life and the lives of my students. I have been an advocate for reading good literature for quite some time now and want to know more about your passion for molding children into becoming lovers of literature. I, along with 2 other educators, began a private online elementary school here in Louisiana 5 years ago because the traditional educational system continues to fail our students. I am ready to begin incorporating your method of loving learning with our students. We have approximately 100 students from all backgrounds. None of them are bilingual. Rafe, we now feel more of an obligation to educate our youths at all costs. We need you to coach us and would like a visit. Please consider it as we have a unique situation in our school. Please visit our web site at http://www.eschoolk8.com
   We will pray for your continued success in educating our children.
   Is there any literature you have published explaining your method?
   Passionate about teaching
   Bmarcello

   Comment by bmarcello — February 29, 2004 @ 10:12 am

8. I am a student teacher in Cambridge England. I read about Mr Esquith’s work with the Hobart Shakespeareans and I was astonished. This is so inspirational. Just a few pages reflecting on this outstanding individual’s impact on young lives has changed me as a person. I now feel the need to motivate challenge and support all my students at all times in any way I can, because I know that whatever I do this man is doing so much more. I hope to live out my professional life in such a way as to transform somebody’s horizons in the manner that Mr Esquith has done for so many of those lucky enough to have come across him.

   Comment by james kelly — March 6, 2004 @ 3:33 pm

9. Sorry, I did not realise that my mail would be directed to you Mr Esquith. U thought it would just appear on this site. I would like to say two things to you though, as you have touched my life lately and made me assess who I want to become as a teacher of under-privileged children here in England. Firstly, I am a teacher because I fell in love with literature when I was a child and saw Polanski’s Macbeth on TV one night ( I still remember hoping to the end that he’d get away with it!). Secondly, reading about your work and shown to me that the truly great teacher finds something to learn from everyone he or she meets. Thank you. Keep the faith. Best Wishes, James Kelly

   Comment by james kelly — March 6, 2004 @ 4:40 pm

10. james – actually, your message isn’t sent to rafe esquith, it’s just embargoed before being available to tbe public because of a little problem we’re having with blogspam. rafe won’t get your message unless he drops in here someday….

    sorry for any confusion, and thanks for your (and everyone else’s) comments.

    Comment by roj — March 7, 2004 @ 12:30 am

11. I know it’s been said before, but I will say it again. Your philosophy on teaching has opened the eyes of a struggling new teacher. Because of your book (my husband brought it home on CD for me to listen to on my way to work, and I haven’t stopped listening since) I am re-evaluating my enthusiasm for the classroom and redefining my teaching agenda. I don’t yet have a mission, but your insights are helping me to create one. I hope you don’t mind yet ANOTHER novice borrowing on your brilliance.
    Thank you, thank you thank you (I cry as I type this)

    Comment by Amanda Rivera — August 9, 2004 @ 10:06 pm

12. Wow, its amazing to see how many people actually understand and appreciate the great work that this man is doing. I am a former Hobart Shakespearean and stumbled into this site on accident. I just wanted to assure everyone that everything written in his book is the truth..and that every one of his students, along with myself love him as a father. It makes me happy to see that he is being rewarded for his years of hard work and self-sacrifice. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at wxlittlemanxk88@sbcglobal.net.

    Comment by Wayne Kepner — August 11, 2004 @ 3:36 am

13. I would like to know how Rafe manages to stimulate the unmotivated as he has. My high school students need the injection and I have not yet found the method1

    Comment by Michael Kelly — August 18, 2004 @ 1:31 pm

14. I’m sorry, but I just wanted to clarify something. Instead of taking all of these words for granted, why not ask the students, especially his students who graduated from high school in 2004?

    Comment by anonymous — October 21, 2004 @ 6:12 pm

15. only because i find it amusing when people demonstrate their lack of interest in a subject tha they are willing to actually spend time on, the above “anonymous” comment has been saved.

    i’d just like to say that if the person in question had taken a few minutes to read the comments prior to his or her own, at least one of rafe’s students dropped in already.

    Comment by roj — October 22, 2004 @ 11:36 pm

16. Hello! and thank you so very much for telling the story that needed to be told by a TEACHER themselves! I am going into the school of education at the University of Wisconsin Madison and I grew up in South Central Los Angeles blocks away from Hobart. So not only do I face culture shock but clash as well. I find that many of the pre-service teachers here who or moslty white from rural areas can not grasp the idea of expectations. Professore talk so much and write so much about “multiculturalism” but theyn’t know crap because they never taught multicultural students. Thank you for reminding me that EDUCATION is the answer not “well, studies have shown…”

    Comment by Regina Chagolla — November 16, 2004 @ 5:22 pm

17. Rafe Esquith is a good person he will teachh you good stuff like banking systems he will get you prepaired for life in a young age

    Comment by william — December 15, 2004 @ 7:42 pm

18. Rafe, your book was given to me by a teaching assistant in my Special Education program. She had read a few chapters and thought we had kindred hearts. I read your book over our Christmas break and feel really invigorated to start the new year. I have spent the last few days generating my own version of your classroom economics motivational system. I will start there as I am currently not on speaking terms with Shakespeare. That will be a summer project. One step at a time. Blessings on you Rafe!

    Comment by Jennifer Richmond — January 2, 2005 @ 8:24 pm

19. I just stumbled on Rafe Esquith’s book tonight at a used book store — and haven’t been able to put it down for 4 hours. It’s funny though, that as impressive as what he is accomplised has been — and I believe he’s the real deal — it’s also depressing for several reasons:

    – It would be impossible for normal, balanced well-intentioned people to recreate this on a broad scale. If half of what he says is true, the guy literally has the passion, energy and determination of a Gen. Patton or a Mahatma Gandhi, which is not something that is easy to replicate in the hundreds of thousands of schools around the country. At one point the guy is working like 20 hours a day, 330 days a year to try and give these kids every advantage possible.

    – it seems clear that he is something of a megalomaniac, especially in his early years, and his vivid Messiah complex is a bit frightening, although the results are clearly to the good. While he seems like a good guy, it would be easy to imagine somebody abusing the kind of loyalty he generates.

    – Most of his students are Korean and Central American immigrants, who represent public school groups which while definitely challenged, have done much better nationally than minorities that have been here for decades. The cooperation he gets from parents reflects this. This is not to undermine what he is done, but that despite calling his school “The Jungle” it is not the most challenged in Los Angeles by a longshot.

    – I didn’t like how he belittled all his colleagues, even ones he liked, for not being him.

    Still, the book was great food for thought for a teacher-in-training and I am grateful people like him are pushing the envelope and challenging the idea that these kids can’t learn.

    Comment by Christopher — March 6, 2005 @ 3:55 am

20. A couple of notes. I am a former student of Rafe Esquith’s, and I would like to add my two cents.

    First off, Rafe is a good guy. He gives a lot of effort into what he believes in, and he creates opportunities for some of these kids which they would not have had at that age if it was not for him.

    But to say that Rafe lives in poverty, as stated in the blog, is a completely false rumor. A long time before he was nationally recognized, he did wake up early to take the bus to school. He could not possibly have walked as he lives in a neighborhood about ten to fifteen miles from school. And he does not live at the poverty level with his wife. His wife is a registered nurse. They own a 3500 square feet house in a very well-to-do middle class area. I’ve been to his home because he hosts casino night once a year for his students. He also brings kids over sometimes to watch videos. When I was a student, he drove to school because one of the student’s parents gave him a car.

    With all of the funding he’s received, he has absolutely no need to work any other jobs or try to scrounge up extra money. His students received fully paid-for trips to England and such when he became famous, so I’m pretty sure they’re not in dire need of money.

    Mr. Esquith also only teaches specially selected students. These students are selected based on their IQ, standardized test grades, and teacher recommendations. 95% of the kids in his class are considered “gifted” by the school district. Yes, I was one of them.

    Most of his students still end up going to mediocre colleges. I would say that, on average, about one student out of each class he’s taught ended up in a top-rated university such as UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc. Out of a class of almost all gifted students, I’m not sure how great this number is.

    What I liked about his class was that he offered opportunities for travel and learning different things such as Shakespeare which would not have been available to students like me who live in that area. He takes his students every year to the Washington D.C. and to Oregon for the Shakespeare festival in Ashland (if you could afford the trips). I remember certain trips costing quite a bit and some students couldn’t go because their families couldn’t afford it. We also went camping and river rafting. He also took his select students around to perform at functions and such to try and raise support for his classes.

    He’ll usually bring his wife (who is a registered nurse) to help take care of the kids. But there are times when there would be no other adult supervision except for him. You can imagine one tall Jewish man walking around with about fifteen to twenty Asian and Hispanic kids.

    And now, for the hard part. What I have to say in the following has not been publicly announced to anyone before. These are from private conversations and have some pretty serious accusations against Mr. Esquith.

    A number of former female students I have kept contact with tell me of the inappropriate situations they would be in. It is a known fact among his students that Mr. Esquith is very open about sex and sexuality. He would constantly talk about his sexual history and his sex life with his wife. Keep in mind that he teaches 5th graders (and at the time 6th graders). Many of them tell me about the times he kissed them and hugged them made them feel very uncomfortable sexually. Sometimes, after school, he would gather his students around and have open discussions. One of the discussion topics used to be which guys thought which girls were pretty. I was even asked once which girl I thought had the nicest breasts. I also remember that at one of his casino nights, he kissed a girl at the poker table that I was playing at. At the time, we thought nothing of it since Mr. Esquith himself was so open about sex.

    I wonder what our parents would have thought if we actually shared some of the things with them. But we didn’t. All of us came from families where both parents worked full time to try and make ends meet. It was not unusual for some to not see their parents until late at night. And we never shared much about school with them. All the parents saw was that the kids were learning Shakespeare and getting to travel, so the parents placed all of their trust into Mr. Esquith.

    Some might call me a sleaze making accusations thinking I might have some kind of vendetta against Mr. Esquith. Some might say that it’s easy for me to make accusations such as these hiding behind the internet. There is nothing I can say to prove to you that I am speaking the truth until these former students come out and speak for themselves. So you can believe whatever you want to believe. But I was a former student, and I am telling you what I experienced personally. I have no ill feelings towards him personally. I am grateful for the Shakespeare he taught and for the opportunity to go places where I wouldn’t have been able to had it not been for him. But looking back on some of his acts, and seeing how popular he has gotten, I felt compelled to share my own experiences as a former Hobart Shakespearean. So go ahead and “flame” me all you want, but try speaking with a former student of his, and your opinion of him might actually change.

    Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2005 @ 6:53 pm

21. Dear Rafe and Students in your class,
    Don’t know if this is the way to reach you, but I recently met and had dinner with Mel Stuart. The subject of his documentary Hobart Shakespeareans came up and we were amazed at the small world coincidence that I had taught at Hobart for many years and knew who you were. He sent me a copy of the tape and I can only marvel at the work of your students and wish them continued success in the world.

    Rochelle Blumenfeld

    Comment by Rochelle Blumenfeld — April 2, 2005 @ 2:23 pm

22. I stumbled onto Mr. Esquith’s work through an NPR interview. After a long military career I decided the real “strategic battleground” is American kids and have started certification as a public school teacher. If you look at official dropout rates your jaw might drop, but if you doubled them to what they really are (due to reporting criteria) then you would cry.
    My primary inspiration has been Jaime Escalante and I was pleased to find out about Mr. Esquith’s work. I believe passion and hard work are communicable skills; and, that the human mind by the age of 14 should be ready for Yale or Harvard or Stanford. I also think that there are strong correlations between music, math, Shakespeare (language) & exercise. As far as the requirement to be a “work-a-holic,”—I’m not really sure anything worthwhile can be accomplished on a 40 hour a week schedule. I look forward to visiting Hobart and seeing the program work.
    I plan on teaching high school mathematics and later certifying in English.

    Comment by mani malagón — April 30, 2005 @ 4:59 pm

23. I learned about Mr. Rafe Esquith on http://www.npr.org
    They had a radio show telling all about his good works. I was inspired! Thank you.

    Comment by Pam Kamper — May 24, 2005 @ 12:04 pm

24. I shared this with some colleagues at the Urban Economics Institute in Moscow, Russia.

    Dear Sergei, Olga and Sasha,

    After my two previous messages on the education topic, I decided that I would not bother you with more of them right now. Alas, as Robert Burns (the famous Scottish poet) says: “The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft astray.” [Actually, he said something like that the plans "gang aft awa" - but even I don't understand that, so why should I expect you to?]

    In this week’s Washington Post, there is review of what appears to be a well-written book about teachers. Whilst this goes a little beyond my competence (if any) in budgeting, my experience (including that of the financial manager of a UK municipal education service – 1961-1963) shows that the single expenditure item: “Teachers’ salaries,” is by far the largest item in any education budget. Indeed, outside of military expenditure, it is probably the largest single item in public finance budgets anywhere. [Were it ONLY the largest single item INCLUDING military expenditure, maybe the world would be a far happier place!].

    Therefore, as teachers are the essential inputs that drive educational PERFORMANCE, it is perhaps my duty to refer you to this topic, as part of “performance budgeting.”

    I hope that you will forgive my profligacy of information, therefore, if I respectfully attach a copy of this review from the Washington Post.

    Take care of Russia,

    With Universal Love and Support,

    David

    David C. Jones CPFA, FCCA

    Home:
    4936 Andrea Avenue,
    Annandale. VA. 22003. USA
    Tel: 703-978-8564
    Fax: 703-978-8014

    Comment by David C. Jones — June 26, 2005 @ 4:01 pm

25. I am a teacher in a small Catholic school. I read your book in 2003 and it inspired me to use your slogans, “There are no shortcuts”, and “Be nice, Work hard”. I work my students to death just like you do, and it pays off. They line up to take my classes, even my hard ones. I teach biology and Anatomy in high school.

    one question I think that is on everone’s mind after they read your book, does it take as much self sacrifice as you have put forth to become recognized? Wow, there are many excellent teachers out there who are deserving of Disney’s Golden Apple and never see it. We are in one of the most underappreciated professions in the world. people with no where near the education we have, and make three to four times the money we make are entrusting us with their children’s minds.
    There are times that i feel like quitting, and i get out your book and read it again and I get back on my horse and do it all again.

    Thank you.

    Jim Durbin
    Bay City, MI

    Comment by Jim Durbin — July 12, 2005 @ 9:11 am

26. The first time I read Rafe’s book I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I was amazed at such dedication and commitment to the education of students such as the ones in Rafe’s school. I lift my hat to the students who are in Rafe’s class. They too are dedicated and responsible for their own learning.
    When I heard that the Hobart Shakespearean and Rafe would be at the Teach and Learn conference in New York, March 24 and 25, 2006, I knew that I had to be there and I was glad I made it. It was an experience meeting and talking with Rafe and some of his students. Thank you Rafe for the job you are doing. I feel proud to be a teacher. I too have used the slogan “There are no shortcuts” in my classroom.

    Comment by Beverly Dobson — April 6, 2006 @ 6:20 pm

27. Dear Rafe,
    I was so inspired by your review in P/W, I wanted to reach out to you to see if you would like to work on publicity for your book “Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire”. Being a Buddhist, I hear that expression a lot in the teachings.
    Sincerely,
    Sherri Rosen
    http://www.sherrirosen.com
    NYC

    Comment by Sherri Rosen — October 12, 2006 @ 11:35 am

28. I am a Portuguese secondary school teacher, who has been teaching for 22 years.
    Until this morning I had never heard about Rafe Esquith and The Hobart Shakespeareans. Until this morning I was much poorer than I am now. Until this morning, and for quite some time, for so many reasons, no matter how hard I kept striving for doing my best at school, the feelings of distress and hopelessness, at times too, would always arise. This morning, a BBC World programme offered me the chance of watching and hearing Rafe Esquith and The Hobart Shakespeareans children. They have provided me with renewed energy, faith, will, power to make things happen and to try and make my children at school understand they can do better, be better human beings, stop being ordinary, and actually make a difference, be extraordinary.
    A plain ‘THANK YOU!’ is not enough. But maybe my own practice and my students’ performances in the future, both at school and in life can be so.

    Comment by Elisabete Anastácio — December 2, 2006 @ 5:35 am

29. Dear Mr. Esquith,
    I am in the process of reading There Are No Shortcuts and will read Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire after that. Your book has taught me so much about teaching, and I’m only an undergraduate student. I have taught in many classrooms as a volunteer, because any teaching experience is a good idea. I just want to thank you for being such an inspiration. I have many of the same ideas and teaching strategies that I believe you use, and it’s good to know that in today’s schools you can use alternate resources and not get fired (if you’re at the right school). Anyway, thank you.
    Kimberly

    Comment by Kimberly Smith — March 28, 2007 @ 6:05 pm

30. i’ve just read Rafe’s book ‘Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire’ and i am inspired very much. I’m a Filipino and i am a public high school teacher in English to ESL students and in my years of teaching i have difficulty in motivating my students to to learn the language. There were times when i want to give up quality teaching and just ignore whether the students learn or not. After reading the book, i was enlightened and i felt that i can do better… but then again i had to admit that i was a little bit disgusted by what i’ve read about Rafe in this blog written by his former students who didn’t reveal his/her identity. Whether this is true or not, it can really destroy his reputation. I just hope that there is no truth in it..Florence

    Comment by florence c. ares — June 8, 2007 @ 8:49 am

31. I hope that in his next book that Rafe will talk about how we can support each other as teachers and how peer coaching will get us all further than staff meetings and trainings with lectures and power point presentations. Administrators need to support teachers better and allow for difficult discussions if our profession is to grow.

    Comment by Toni Morgan — August 8, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

32. MR.Esquith,

    I just saw a documentary about your work with children. What i saw inspired a lot. I’m an african from Congo (Kinshasa) and i do believe that to make things better in my country we should start by educating our children. These last days, i’m seeing more and more inspiring people around me and that helps me to carry on with the project that i have for my country.
    I just want to say thank you for giving yourself everyday for these kids and GOD bless you and give you the strenght to carry on with your work.

    Comment by kalela — September 7, 2007 @ 7:11 am

33. Mr. Esquith:

    How did you get 501c3 status for your classroom?

    Did you create a shell organization for your class ot the entire elementary school?

    I have a friend in teach for america in Philadelphia trying to getr the status for his classroom.

    Tsiom

    Comment by Tsiom Motkin — September 23, 2007 @ 8:44 pm

34. Dear Roj,

    I watched the documentary on The Hobart Shakespeareans on PBS last night, and came across your website as I was searching for more information about Rafe Esquith and his class.

    I just wanted to run a thought by you, and leave it to your own discretion regarding what to do with it.

    I am a special ed. teacher and feel that over the years as I have gained more experience, I have become a better teacher and do a pretty good job in my class. (Sorry for sounding haughty; it’s only to make a point.) Still, every day I am hard on myself and feel bad for not doing more and giving more and inspiring more, etc.

    Then I watched the documentary about Rafe Esquith and really felt inspired as a teacher to do more and give more and inspire more; to set higher goals which would help my students later in life as opposed to just dispensing information. (Okay, I oversimplified it, but you get the point. )

    The reason I’m writing to you is that the comment above from a former student of Mr. Esquith’s may be valid and true, and while anyone in this country is certainly free to speak up when they have information or an opinion to share, I think it may be counter-productive to what Rafe is working towards and stands for.

    Once I read that comment, I had second thoughts about how great that guy was, and even his very meritorious ideas and examples he set were tarnished by my new opinion of him. In short, the motivation for ME to do better was lost.

    So of course, it’s your blog, and I leave it to you to decide what you save and what you delete, but I just wanted to share with you how my students may end up losing out because I read that comment; and to think how many other inspired teachers raring to go might lose some of that because of one comment.

    Thanks for letting me voice my opinion.

    Roxanne

    Comment by Roxanne — October 10, 2007 @ 10:58 pm

35. Dear Rafe and web readers….
    I too am worried about MY SON becoming ordinary. Every day I say they (the school) only have him for 6 hours, the rest of the time he’s mine, but they work their mundaness in so well that sometimes I find him arguing their point for them. Accolades to your altruism, I’m using your tips but as a parent I don’t have 20 years to improve

    Say something nice? ummmmm Like chemo treatments being better than the school meetings??? Truth is NICE even when it may not seem so, I appreciate your clarity. You and Noam Chomsky.
    Can I introduce you to Richard Mitchell? http://www.sourcetext.com/grammarian/

    I use your Medal of Arts history to sell your book like I use the title of Chapter one to sell Freekenomics (Why teachers and Sumu Wrestlers are alike) This quote from Mitchell’s Graves of Acadame is the Karate book for good teachers….
    “It is possible, of course, to
    keep educated people unfree in a state of civilization, but it’s much easier to keep ignorant people unfree in a state of civilization. And it is
    easiest of all if you can convince the ignorant that they are educated, for you can thus make them collaborators in your disposition of their liberty and property. That is the institutionally assigned
    task, for all that it may be invisible to those who perform it, of American public education. (page 5) text free on the web at:
    http://www.sourcetext.com/sharetext/ug/graves.pdf

    BTW Every Library, including Texas Tech has your Hair book and I’m checking them all out to pass around, but how do you make them drink? Ciao. Mark

    Comment by Mark Lawson — October 10, 2007 @ 11:23 pm

36. Hi,

    I was wondering if you know of any place that I can find a detailed account of the reward system that Rafi uses in his classes? I would appreciate your help with this.

    Comment by mehran — May 18, 2008 @ 4:13 pm

37. To Roxanne:

    I don’t know what to say about what you posted. I wouldn’t advise you to lose heart because Rafe Esquith was and probably still is a great teacher. However, he is still very human and flawed and as much as I can say that some of what he says is bullshit, there is still a lot of good in what he does.

    The only other thing I would advise you about is to remember that there is a line that needs to be drawn between what you say to your students and what you can say to adults. As a former student myself, this is something that he sometimes forgot about and people still remember it to this day.

    Comment by Anonymous — December 24, 2008 @ 8:29 pm

38. To everyone reading these postings, I would recommend you be highly skeptical of the postings made by “Anonymous,” who claims to be a former student. I say this because I recently met the teacher who taught fifth grade right next to Rafe for several years (I am a teacher and this teacher recently joined our staff) and he said that many of the teachers at Hobart are openly mean, cruel, rude, and resentful towards Rafe. The teacher told me some really horrible things that the teachers have done to him out of this jealousy/resentment, such as key his car (a TEACHER keyed his CAR).

    That said, ANYONE can post on the internet claiming to be anyone, and for all we know the poster known as “Anonymous” could be one of the many jealous individuals all too eager to drag Rafe’s name through the mud by spreading lies. Do I have evidence that this is the case? No, I do not have evidence, just as the anonymous poster has no evidence that he/she is a former student or that these things really did happen. That is precisely my point.

    What we do know, though, and have great evidence of, is that Rafe is a phenomenal teacher who has impacted the lives of many students and teachers. I hope that he continues to inspire fellow educators like myself with his stories, and that his colleagues realize that they should stop “hating” and take the time to learn from the man.

    Comment by Patrick — January 3, 2009 @ 4:04 am

39. i wanted 2 know when is your birthday and your birthplace for my report

    Comment by chantal — May 18, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

40. To Patrick and Roxanne and anyone else on here that doubts Rafe has been inappropriate and openly sexual with children:

    Let me help you by saying, I BELIEVE EVERY WORD. First of all, the person who wrote it did not appear to have any bitter feelings and I would say even remorseful because he knows the truth yet knows not what to do about it. It’s very scary to come out and expose someone who already has so much notoriety and hides behind an image.

    Yes, it is true, Rafe has a HUGE influence on education and children and is also likely a megalomaniac among other serious mental problems. A basic definition of megalomaniac is: an unrealistic belief in one’s superiority, grandiose abilities, and even omnipotence. It is characterized by a need for total power and control over others, and is marked by a lack of empathy for anything that is perceived as not feeding the self.

    A Pedophile prefers the company of children and is popular with both children and adults.

    Rafe has a dark history prior to being a teacher at Hobart. I knew him. He was controlling, extremely manipulating, cruel, intimidating, verbally, sexually and physcially abusive. Yet he was also inspiring and intelligent and hid the dark side very well. I have personal awful experiences from him and I know several other people (who are now adults) who did as well. We are not children who hide behind our juvenile distaste of him and key his cars. We are adults who have our own lives and who also now have children.

    Roj, thanks for keeping this up… the truth will prevail and I have no problem engaging in further conversation and/or answering questions.

    Comment by Truth prevails — December 15, 2010 @ 1:47 am

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