No doubt my fondest memories from when I was a student in DPS are from my sixth grade year at University Park Elementary School. My math, science and social studies teacher was Mr. Bradshaw in 1971-1972. He was a true master of creating activities that combined those subjects, creating teachable moments for his students. In every sense of the word, he was a true Master Teacher. We learned, sometimes, despite ourselves, but also because the things we did during those mornings were so interesting and challenging. Believe it or not I can still remember most of the Morse Code thanks to his ham radio class.
Beyond the academic memories, I remember, he was also quite fond of the rock and roll band, The Moody Blues, a band that I had just discovered. He also in mocking – or maybe he was serious – disparaged [the younger generation of the day...remember the generation gap] “the Pepsi generation,” as the Pepsi commercials of the day trumpeted, as being really the “molasses generation.” It was HIS generation that was the real movers and shakers. Also, through his eyes that we got a glimpse of the significance of Nixon’s trip to China. Finally, it was in his class that seed was planted that being an elementary teacher was something that a man could do. As a result, I am in my fifteenth year as a teacher, and my fifth in the Denver Public Schools – I currently teach 6th grade math at Smiley Middle School.
Ken Mason