Veronica Kordmany
Editor '18
As long as he has a coffee mug in one hand, and a book in the other (preferably his own, but why be picky?), life is good for GNN’s favorite, Mr. Blackstone. When he’s finished discussing books all day, or grading papers at his designated spot in the English office, Blackstone hangs up his teaching life in exchange for his coaching life.
From a time when he was no older than his students, Blackstone would spend his days with a racquet in his hand. His career as an athlete began when he played in high school, dabbling in badminton until he graduated to the arts of tennis. The decision ultimately followed him into his later years as he began coaching a JV Girls Tennis team, in a New York City school he taught at prior to coming to North. After some years had gone by, the spark in Blackstone flickered out, and he reverted back to his glory days in the badminton sport.
Despite his deep involvement in the sports arenas, Mr. Blackstone finds it more important that kids find their passions, instead of him chasing his own. “Seeing them in practice develop, seeing them in the matches; succeed, compete, grow” has opened his eyes to the philosophies of teaching, something he incorporates into every moment he stands before a class, determined to relay the lessons he has come to realize in life. “I love teaching both sports, and I love the fact that I’ve been able to have some students, from both sports.”
Editor '18
As long as he has a coffee mug in one hand, and a book in the other (preferably his own, but why be picky?), life is good for GNN’s favorite, Mr. Blackstone. When he’s finished discussing books all day, or grading papers at his designated spot in the English office, Blackstone hangs up his teaching life in exchange for his coaching life.
From a time when he was no older than his students, Blackstone would spend his days with a racquet in his hand. His career as an athlete began when he played in high school, dabbling in badminton until he graduated to the arts of tennis. The decision ultimately followed him into his later years as he began coaching a JV Girls Tennis team, in a New York City school he taught at prior to coming to North. After some years had gone by, the spark in Blackstone flickered out, and he reverted back to his glory days in the badminton sport.
Despite his deep involvement in the sports arenas, Mr. Blackstone finds it more important that kids find their passions, instead of him chasing his own. “Seeing them in practice develop, seeing them in the matches; succeed, compete, grow” has opened his eyes to the philosophies of teaching, something he incorporates into every moment he stands before a class, determined to relay the lessons he has come to realize in life. “I love teaching both sports, and I love the fact that I’ve been able to have some students, from both sports.”