S.

Rain Varney

Professor Martin

English 101-A-01

October 1st, 2019

Make Time to Make Art

I walked into Coconino High School with the same distinctive smell of old wood , the

wood paneled walls, and the sweet lady at the front desk. I go down memory lane while going

through the halls, where I went to school for 6 hours a day, 180 days a year for four years;

walking past all the rooms and teachers I used to have reminiscing in the past, I then arrive to

room 203, Mr.Proctor’s room. Most people have had that one teacher who inspired them or

influenced them leaving a huge impact on their life or future. Mr.Proctor is someone who has

taught me so much and every day has inspired me to be better in life. Mr. Proctor is inspiring,

passionate, thoughtful, and an overall amazing teacher. That's why one day I hope to have the

same impact on people as he did for me.

Mr. Proctor is in his forties, he has a short clean cut light brown hair, brown eyes with

black framed glasses, and a light brown beard with a hint of gray. He has a little smile that

creates wrinkles around his eyes. I always find him standing or walking around, wearing “hip”

clothes like Addeda, Pumma, with cuffed jeans. He’s got a lower voice but it is one that is soft

and easy to listen to. He starts to talk faster when he is excited about the subject he's talking

about. He has lots of keys on him, so with every movement I can hear them rattling around.

As I entered the classroom where I spent all four years of high school, the smell of paint

and chemicals within the room hit me. Then I saw Mr. Procter, head lifted up as he continues to

cut paper in a cheerful voice he says “ Hey Rain!” We talk briefly and then head outside, where I
would ask him questions for the next hour. We sit down on this beautiful Friday morning where

the sun was warm on our skin, but the perfect temperature. I never knew much about his personal

life so I found it very interesting to hear his story. Ben Proctor was born in Flomington, New

Jersey. He has three siblings, and was thankful as a kid because they lived comfortable not

having to worry too much about money. At seventeen in a hurry to get out of town, he packed up

for college and went to James Madison University, where he then pursued his art degree. At

twenty-five he had considered moving into a house, but had stepped back for a moment and

said,“Wow, this is all happening too fast.” So he packed some things and went on a road trip. He

traveled all over the country, but he said he “always ended up back in Flagstaff.” From just

passing through to the next location he just always ended up in this little mountain town.

Mr. Procter worked in special education at CHS for six years, however, he had to go back

to school to get certified in education. Then CHS had an opening for drawing and painting. He

didn't think twice and was then hired as the new art teacher. He has now been teaching art for six

years at CHS. Even ten years in the future he plans on continuing to teach art, “I know I've got it

good here.” Mr. Proctor creates a positive and relaxed environment within his classroom. “The

relationships with my students and allowing kids to flourishing in a way that they might not in

their school day.” He also said “I get to see a side of the kids that other teachers may not be able

to see.” This is true every day. I loved going to art class.

Mr. Proctor is very passionate about art, and that passion inspired me every day in that

class. Some mornings when breaking news came out within the “art world,” he would first thing

in the morning tell us all about it using his excited voice. From that you could tell how

passionate he is when it comes to art. His favorite artist is Shepard Fairey. He's the guy who

created the clothing brand Obey; he's also a street artist who uses pop art with a mix with
propaganda. I was curious why he liked him the most. “He's my age, he went to school with a

friend of mine, he's like, you know, one degree separation away from me. So I kinda like seeing

him successful because I like to think people from everyday walks of life should be able to be

successful.”

“You should never think it won't happen to me.” Be humble, be aware of what you have

and don't take that for granted, and to love the people you have now while you have them. Mr.

Proctor definitely appreciates the little things in life; an appreciation for art, the job he has, the

cutest daughter, his students, and so much more. However, he's quiet about it, though he’ll show

you his appreciation through little things. For example, my senior year, my last day he gave our

class a personalized carved out stamped piece of paper with a cute little creature on it, with a

letter attached saying sweet meaningful things about our class. Personally my senior year with

Mr.Proctor was my favorite- that class overall was very talented; everyone fed off each other.

Mr.Proctor and I even talked about this while I was interviewing him. He said with that class he

opened up about his personal life, specifically his father passing away; he was very thankful on

how we supported him. I remember him giving my class that news, the whole class just got quiet

and just listened to him. The class, and myself, sincerely we're heartbroken to see someone we

look up to in such a high regard be sad. So when he left for the funeral, as a class we made a

card all signing it, along with some flowers in the hope to cheer him up and show our

appreciation for him.

In college Mr.Proctor took a printmaking class with Jack McCaslin. McCaslin was a big

influence on Mr.Proctor. He showed him what he is capable of and helped him to be even better.

He also showed procter a new media, being printmaking, that he is still very passionate to this

day. Its amazing to see how big of an impact a teacher can have on a student just like McCaslin
had on Mr. proctor and how Mr. Proctor did for me. I looked up McCaslin to then find his email,

I was urgent to try to get in contact with him. I was more shocked when I got a response back.

“Ben was a wonderful person to work with. Talented, attentive, and a great student to

shared the cramped, airless basement printmaking studio of Converse dormitory.” He asked me

some follow up questions “Please tell me more about how you know Ben and what led you to

me?” I told him how I knew Proctor and more about how I chose to write about Mr.Procter and

the influence has had on me. Out of curiosity I wanted to know if anyone had inspired him.

McCaslin told me that his mother was one but he also had a professor for drawing and

printmaking, John O’Shea who was an important influence on him. I hope to be that teacher for

someone someday, then maybe one day a past students of mine will write a paper on me.

Mr. Proctor, showed me that I can have a future in art. He showed me how to put my art

pieces up in shows, and helped me to sell some of them. He created a safe environment for me in

school where I felt free to express myself. He inspired me each day to not give up on my dreams

and to always make art; Mr. Proctor, a person who makes time in this crazy chaotic world to

make art is successful, thank you for being you in all the best ways.