Mr. Tanner was my AP English teacher in my senior year at Cubberley High School. He was by far the best English teacher I ever had and one of three exceptional teachers I had that year, two at Cubberley plus my piano teacher. I can see now how very fortunate I was in my teachers that year. My home life was often very painful - my father was abusive, especially that year, but those three teachers were so respectful while gifting me with plenty of challenges. Mr. Tanner never knew my personal problems. He pointed out my cliches, and praised me enthusiastically when I wrote something he liked. I still remember how thrilled I felt when he read aloud to the class a couple of my efforts: a Haiku poem and an essay on “The symbolism of birds in A Passage to India.” Little did he know how important it was to me to be treated so respectfully and even to receive heartfelt praise from a man in authority whom I greatly admired. Blessings upon you, Mr. Tanner!

Mr. Tanner was the teacher who had the greatest impact upon my life of all my teachers from grade school through university. His thorough commentary on my writing helped me to grow immensely as a writer, and his sympathetic understanding regarding my personal issues blessed me in a way I can never forget. He believed in me because he could see the potential that was lurking underneath my shy and awkward behavior. I hope that he is holding classes in heaven, as his talent in teaching and inspiring others should go on forever. God bless you, Barney Tanner.

Mr. Tanner improved my writing. I was in his 9th grade English at Cubberley in 1977-78. My own daughter is now in 9th grade English. I'm sad that she has only a couple of writing assignments in the whole year, and even they are returned with a grade but no comments. So, thank you, Mr. Tanner, for teaching me to think about every phrase and how it could be rephrased for vigor or emphasis.

Mr. Tanner taught me to write short sentences; he must have gotten tired of writing "run on". He also gave me my most memorable grade, A+/D-. He said that it should have been an F, but he could tell that I understood Dickens' jokes. He told me that I should take a summer class in English, before I got to college. The teacher was no Mr. Tanner; I had to get help writing my Ph.D. thesis. He was so generous that he came to my wedding. He said he hoped the groom deserved me! I treasure the year I spent in his class.

Mr. Tanner taught me to write short sentences; he must have gotten tired of writing "run on". He also gave me my most memorable grade, A+/D-. He said that it should have been an F, but he could tell that I understood Dickens' jokes. He told me that I should take a summer class in English, before I got to college. The teacher was no Mr. Tanner; I had to get help writing my Ph.D. thesis. He was so generous that he came to my wedding. He said he hoped the groom deserved me! I treasure the year I spent in his class.