I never really cared much for English-language classes until I had Mr. Dykes' class. I don't know why but after I attended his college prep class I loved to write. Anyway if he ever finds this site I just want to say "Thanks!"


No wonder you`re all mixed up. You got a white man`s 1st name, a Spanish man`s 2nd name and a black man`s 3rd name. -- Mickey Rivers to Reginald (Reggie) Martinez Jackson

[This message was edited by bobby d on Tue September 16 2003 at 01:09 AM.]

[This message was edited by bobby d on Tue September 16 2003 at 01:09 AM.]

I had Mr. Dykes for college Prep. Did you have him first thing in the morning your senior year. Brian Cobbs, myself and Geraldine Reynolds were in that class. And all year we kept wondering why in the hell did we take this hard ass class our senior year.
But you are right, that class paid off dearly in college and I am greatful to Mr. Dkyes for his ability as an educator to prepare us for college. I also have Mrs. Flippo and Mrs. Kimery to thank for being great English teachers. I had coach Bonds for something and he sucked.

I knew I had received an awesome education at BTW, and that I had been prepared for college at one of the best High Schools - but when I reached college, and saw what they expected out of the freshmen in English - I knew I had to thank him!

I had been so prepared - I think I learned more about English in High School than they ever attempted to teach in college.

I found him at BTW when I had a break from college, and sat with him and Mrs. Kimrey in the Teacher's lounge, and thanked them both for such great preparation. As I was preparing to become a teacher, I urged them to change nothing in the way they taught - or in the curriculum - as it was much more than higher education expected.

He had become "Doctor" Dykes over that summer, and was happy to hear that they were doing the right thing - though I know they knew - after all, they were the teachers!

What a great man - I thoroughly enjoyed learning from him, and it was even better when I learned I had learned so mucn!!!

Audrea,
I don't think you were in my class. If memory serves correctly I had Mr. Dykes' class in the afternoon. I can't remember it being that hard. I always loved to read but I wasn't that in love with writing since English is a very difficult language to write prose correctly and to spell, I've always like spelling as well...

But that may have been due to the fact that his teaching method brought out one's interest in the language? Anyway you are correct, I had Coach Bonds too and he wasn't that good of an educator. Plus the baseball players had this friendly feud with the swimmers, mostly b/c of him, and he was always mouthy to me, Jeff Webster, Gary Leak and Joey Sanders.

Another thing I liked about Mr. Dykes is he listened to you and then questioned you, like your goals/dreams in life.

DOes anybody remember going to the chinese restaurant in Brookside with Mr. Dikes? I'm not sure when I was in his class, but I saw him several times after graduation and expressed my gratitude for his desire to make a difference in our lives. I'm really having a hard time choosing a favorite since most of them had such a direct influence on my life. Mr. Arrington for helping us understand patriotism, Coach O. for the desire to understand and care for our environment, Mrs. Ungerman for teaching us to enjoy literature, Mr. Hamilton for just plain old having fun, Ms Lyons and DECA, what about Mr. Reeves (head janitor) and his sweaters. The list goes on and on. In fact, if you still have a yearbook, look at the faculty pictures and look at the uniqueness that made them who they are.

a big amen to Mr. Dykes and I will put Mrs. Kimery in there too. If I had not had both of them while I was at BTW I don't think I would be able to put together a sentence half as well as I would otherwise. Taking Mrs. Kimery my junior year and then Mr. Dykes senior year saved my tush in college I have no doubt about that. I still remember Mr. Dykes deconstructing the Canterbury Tales in class and teaching us about the roots of words and old English. He was so great!

Mr. Dykes was a great teacher. Utopian literature? I think was one class. We had a load of great English class choices in the 70s at BTW. However I graduated never having taken a Shakespeare course.

I agree, as teachers go, it is hard to say "this person" as they all gave so much. Mr Dykes was the first adult to talk to me as if I had thoughts and feelings that mattered....later, I returned to BTW after I had started my career and he was just as gracious. He maybe taught me more about what being a really good man is than English, but that was through my observation....I certainly hope he is healthy and well. Hat's off!

Mr. Dykes played a crucial role in my life. Though I never really excelled in Literature, he helped me understand and appreciate good writing and poetry.

He also gave me keen guidance in my development spiritually. At the time, I was very confused and explored various spiritual avenues. He was a great sounding board for me and always took the time to listen and help me sort things out.

His memory is one of the fondest that I had from my time at Booker T.