Thursday, August 8, 2019
On the very first day I met Doug Woods, he taught my grade 5 class three cardinal points. First, how to recognize the Amanita mushroom (poisonous) and the way it would kill you. Second, that you would run faster with you toes pointed inward, than outward, and why. Third, that to begin a retort with an outright contradiction is ill-mannered, indicates arrogance and the unwillingness to learn from others, and is unlikly to advance one's position on the subject. He managed all this, with questions and answers, in about 40 minutes.
He spent very little of his working life at Upper Canada College ("the Prep") but his mark was clear, inspirational, unforgettable. A true gentleman to the quick, and an educator for aspiring teachers to emulate in every way.
I am so saddened to learn that he has left us so soon, My condolences to all his circle, on behalf of the many many young men who were inspired by their contact with him.
Andrew Mizen (Form2, 1970)
