Fayetteville, Arkansas — Behind every great teacher is a great mentor who long ago sparked a passion for education.
For science teacher Clay Morton, that guiding light was Dr. Walt Manger.
“There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his students,” Morton told CBS News. “He’s just a great man, you know. You have my parents, and you have Walt.”
Manger was Morton’s professor of geology at the University of Arkansas. Morton took a geology course to fulfill a science requirement, never imagining that it would become his major and eventually his profession. The professor who ignited this passion was Manger, a celebrated geologist who became his thesis advisor and mentor.
“I took every class he taught,” Morton said. “I was a lab instructor. I really admired him. He was passionate and committed and the kind of teacher who would do anything to help you. If you were sick, he paid for your doctor’s appointment. He was always there to help you help with whatever you need.”
After they left college, Morton says they remained close for a while, but eventually lost touch.
That is, until a few years ago, when Morton learned that Manger had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The thought of all that genius and kindness being lost was more than Morton could bear. That’s why he wanted to preserve as much of his genius as possible.
The plan was to meet monthly at Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Morton teaches. Manger is driven to the school by his wife Peggy, where they review his wealth of geological knowledge.
“He doesn’t remember where my room is,” Morton said. ‘He doesn’t remember what we talked about last time. But he knows we’re doing this.”
What they do is look at Manger’s old geological slides. In the beginning, Manger was able to explain each photo in great detail and Morton took notes.
However, three years later, Manger can’t even remember taking most of them.
“It’s so hard to see him,” Morton said. “But it’s still the best week of the month… because he’s still Walt. He’s still smiling. He’s still funny, he’s still willing to help you with anything. Yeah, I can’t imagine Let’s imagine where I would be without Walt.”
Therefore, Morton plans to continue these sessions for as long as Manger is able. And why he always ends them with the same words of gratitude:
“Almost everything I learned about teaching, I learned from you,” Morton tells Manger.
And while Manger will soon forget that compliment, Morton is actually fine with it.
“It’s nice to be able to tell him over and over again,” Morton said.
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