What we've learned, having been in management for the last 30 years, is that an organization reflects senior management.  If senior management is good, the organization is good; compassionate? the organization is compassionate; only accepts excellence? the organization only accepts excellence. With that in mind, we think Ted Boyce was the best school manager (Principal) ever, and we would like to propose the "Ted Boyce Excellence in Education" award to be given annually to the middle school teacher who gets the most out of the kids without being actually hated by those same kids. 

We don't (all) live in Orinda, we were just raised there.  This award does not have anything to do with the Orinda Union School District; it is not a fund raiser for the Orinda Union School District and they don't get the money or the award.  It is an award from the people whose lives were touched in a positive way by Ted Boyce and his unique way of running a middle school.

Explanation with full emotion:  There are a lot of good teachers out there, and there were in the late 50's and 60's.  There are always, probably, a lot of good teachers, but good administrators?  We believe Ted Boyce was instrumental in creating an environment where the teachers you so fondly remember had a chance to display their good-teacher-man-ship, and thereby affect your life.  We believe that Ted Boyce maintained an environment where we were actually treated as people with dignity, rather  than students or charges or daily attendance numbers.  If you breezed through Pine Grove Intermediate School and never had to go to the office, never served a detention, always got the best grades and spent your time practicing for the Country Cotillion, you probably didn't get the full impact of Mr. Boyce's wisdom.  Others were deeply impacted.

Explanation without full emotion:  Ted Boyce was the principal of Pine Grove Intermediate School and did a superior job of running the school and relating to the students.  Oh, and he still does.

Explanation for those who weren't lucky enough to go to Pine Grove School:  Every one of us has a teacher that stands out in our minds, a teacher - not an administrator.  If you ask those that went to Pine Grove who their special teacher is, you might be surprised to find that the teacher was from their years at Pine Grove.  The teachers had a place where they could become memorable teachers or perhaps, there was a statistically unbalanced distribution of memorable teachers, but we don't think that's it.  We think it was Mr. Boyce's leadership.  Over the years he has remained a friend to countless Orinda people.  He and Frank Isola were responsible for a good number of the things that made the Orinda experience unique and that uniqueness is why there is an All Orinda Reunion and not an All Oakland Reunion.  So that's it, I'm sorry you did not get to experience Mr. Boyce's effect but please indulge the rest of us. If you would like to participate in the poll, please do.

So we would like to take a poll:  Would you support the "Ted Boyce Excellence in Education" Award?  If enough people are interested, the All Orinda Reunion will be the major sponsor of the award.

Please Vote - Voting ends December 31, 2005.

Yes, He changed my life!  I think it's a good idea, but you finance it.
Yes, He marginally affected my life and I'll contribute $50 a year to the award.
Your emotions make me want to puke, but I'd contribute $25 a year as long as it's a tax deductible contribution.
Ted Who?
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