Many hats, many memories By William McMann P ’13
During my 38 years at peddie, I’ve worn many hats, literally and figuratively. As an English teacher, I’m always looking for symbolism, and in my hat collection, I think I’ve found some.
1. English teacher
Fittingly at the top of the display since I’ve taught English every single term of my 38 years at Peddie. The hat: Suitably tweedy and English. Not quite Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson, maybe? Best memory: Back in the 80s as my seniors began the study of “Hamlet” I asked “What were Shakespeare’s plays like when they were first performed?,” thinking that I was going to get some information on the Globe Theatre, maybe some idea that the stage was bare, etc. A young man who had so far that year distinguished himself mostly by his silence in class was wildly waving his raised hand. His answer: “They were all in black and white.” A couple of weeks later the class was watching a video of the opera “I Pagliacci.” This same young man leaned over towards the guy sitting next to him and opined: “They sure do a lot of singing in this village.”
“Aside from making me more confident in my writing skills, Mr. McMann is also one of the funniest teachers I have ever had. Freshman year, I looked forward to Humanities every day because Mr. McMann would always make the class laugh somehow. One time, I fell back in my chair and Mr. McMann said, ‘It was bound to happen sometime.’ That moment serves as a reminder for me to laugh at myself when I make a mistake.” Megan Gabruk ’17
Snapshot: William McMann Years at Peddie: 38 Positions held: English teacher, English
2. “Old School” Peddie cap
department chair, dean of students, head of
The hat: My coaching hat
residential life, JV and assistant varsity soccer
Best memory: In 1985, my JV basketball team played the
prelim to the varsity Peddie-Lawrenceville game at home. Since we were tied in triple overtime, the stands were filled with the crowd for the varsity game. Lawrenceville committed a technical foul and Peddie was awarded a free throw. I selected a player to shoot the foul shot, and
coach, JV and assistant varsity basketball coach and JV lacrosse coach Next page in life: “Lots of reading, some gardening and a little bit of travel.”
Spring 2017 19