Each of us wants to leave some kind of lasting legacy when we leave Sage Hill Shcool behind.
The Sage Hill Community was deeply saddened to learn last week that George Pratt, a beloved former English teacher and English Department Chair, had passed away. Today’s Sage Hill students did not have the good fortune of knowing George, whose tenure here from 2001-2007 left a permanent impression on many of his students and colleagues. When someone passes away, we often just hear the facts: He lived here, he worked there, he died of this or that. For those of us who knew George, he was much more than a footnote in the history of our school.
George embodied the Sage Hill spirit in the way he approached his teaching and his engagement with our community. Part of what made George such a great teacher was how he transformed the way our students thought about their writing. He would never let a student settle for mediocrity, inspiring them instead to take their writing to a higher level. George was a great champion of our Portfolio Project, and his influence on the English department’s capstone event continues to this very day.
George was a character on campus. An administrator who worked with him posted on Facebook, “There was never a dull moment working with George! His personality was larger than life and his sense of humor livened up even the most ordinary day.” Indeed, George made a point to “hold court” during lunchtime, seeking out tables of students, where he would lob hot topics. He got a thrill out of seeing where it would lead him. He made up endearing nicknames for his students, typically with a double meaning that left the students feeling both recognized and loved. George was a regular in our Friday morning faculty/staff basketball games. His jump shot was the ugliest thing you had ever seen, but his headband and knee-high socks made it all worthwhile.
Some of the many comments on Sage Hill School’s Facebook page illustrate how deeply George touched our community. A student wrote, “His passion to teach was matched only by his compassion for his students.” From a parent: “He was a huge influence in my son’s life and had just visited him in NYC.” Another student: “Mr. Pratt changed so many students’ lives, mine included, through his knowledge, generosity, love, and passion. His undeniable wit and beautiful smile will live on in all of us.…”
I want to address this last point: That what George brought to our community will live on in all of us. Each of us wants to be more than a footnote, to have some kind of lasting legacy after we are gone. And I think it is fair to say that nearly every individual who becomes part of the Sage Hill community leaves some sort of legacy, large or small. With the Class of 2014 about to graduate, there is so much we will remember about the students whose time here is ending. We'll catch ourselves saying, “Remember when?” and we’ll know they’re still part of this place. Individually and collectively, the Class of 2014 wrote a four-year story that becomes part of the Sage Hill archives. Same goes for some of our faculty and administrators who are moving on to new phases in their lives. George wrote an especially poignant and meaningful story here. He exemplified some of the goals we want all of our students, faculty and staff to strive for, such as balance, excellence and community. We are all the richer for having known each other, as we are all the richer for having known George.
After leaving Sage Hill, George taught at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Our community mourns his passing alongside his wife, former Sage Hill history teacher Sydney Robertson, and their daughter, Carmen. But I know that there will be many times in the future when I will reflect on George’s time here and notice his impact—whether in the classroom, at the lunch tables, or the basketball court. He is forever part of the Sage Hill community.