Remembering a great educator, Mr. ‘Espy’

I met Mr. Tony Espinoza in 1966. He was a bachelor, comedian at heart, but most importantly Questa High School’s biology/chemistry teacher. A teacher you did not disrespect or disappoint. He was a teacher you respected whether you wanted to or not.

His academic biology/chemistry requirements were outrageous and they lived in eternal infamy through decades of students. In his biology class, your first biology assignment was to learn the first 100 phylums/sub-phylums alphabetically, and accurately spelled. Believe it or not I aced that assignment and from that day forward I could do no wrong in his eyes. To top it off, I turned in the assignment in record time. He could not believe it and he looked at my assignment, then back at me, then back at the test. He circled my desk, undoubtedly thinking I had cheated. But he and I knew it was not the case.

Earlier this evening I received word that ‘Espy’ affectionately known to his students died recently. My many memories of Espy were summoned. Memories of comical exchanges between him and some students. I recall my first day in his class and part of a group of many girls who walked in looking for a seat after the bell. I recall a familiar male classmate shifting in his chair, left to right, right to left, front and back, attempting to check out the new girls. Espy caught on immediately and blurted out, “What’s the matter Bobby (Ortega), you got ants in your pants?” The laughter in the room embarrassed Bobby, if only for a second.

When Espy asked you to do something, you did it. He commanded respect like no other teacher. If you chose to disrespect him, it would be a tough four-year journey.

The biggest lesson learned from this one-of-a-kind teacher was that of respect and discipline. You learned to follow the rules or you chose to become part of F-Troop as he called his many unengaged students.

Mr. Espy, you were a unique educator whose consistency in every day school life and, yes, your unique charm earned you a spot in the hearts of many. I will miss your academic tactics and your sense of humor.

I, for one, am a better person for knowing you. You instilled discipline, determination, meeting the challenge and just plain spunk. Vaya con Dios, Espy.