Dear Ron Pratt

I am sitting here with my morning coffee reflecting on teachers and the qualities that set some teachers apart from others.

Ron and his talented student, Bob Viator

The best, in my experience, are fun. They inspire. They engage their students. They are curious.  They are themselves students with incredible skills. They understand how to succinctly make a point and connect with the learner. They are undeterred by the frustration of a struggling student; rather, they rise to the challenge and tease out every drop of ability. Moreover, a great teacher is unthreatened by the gifts and talents of his students. The truly great teachers rejoice in them.

And on top of all of this, great teachers are generous. They share their knowledge, time, and talent without reservation.

I've had a lot of teachers in my day, Ron. Some awful, some good, some so-so, and I've been lucky to have had a few of the great ones too.

You, Ron Pratt, embody everything spoken of here.  You're truly one of the best ones.

So, on behalf of every striving, struggling, hopeful, discouraged, talented or frustrated watercolor painter in your classes, may I say a huge THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.