Friday, October 10, 2014
I only tonight, 10 October 2014, learned of Mrs. Baldwin's passing, and perhaps it says all you need to know about what a great teacher and person she was when I admit that more than thirty years after I was in her class, I was deeply saddened by the news. Mrs. Baldwin was a true scholar whose combination of expertise, no-nonsense professionalism, and loyalty to her students was rare. I count her among a small group of teachers who changed my life for the better, and whom I feel blessed to have known. In 10th grade Civics she taught us the US Constitution article by article and amendment by amendment, and made us march up a mental hill few of us wanted to climb, but which I look back on very glad that she led us to the top. I was in her class senior year when her daughter needed a liver transplant in Pittsburgh, and Mrs. Baldwin returned after being out part of the semester. Upon her return she hit the ground running without missing a step and I will proudly say that I learned more political science from the remaining portion of the year she was there than I did in four years in college. But it wasn't only the subject at hand that Rosie Baldwin taught us. With her homespun wisdom and capable mind there were many life lessons to be imparted upon those who listened. Thirty years. How quickly time skips by! You were great, Mrs. Baldwin. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
