The Q+A- two student, two teachers, each month. This month we sat down with librarian Mr. David Kates.
Conducted by Leigh Jacobson
Editor-in-Chief
Common misconception about teachers: We like to discipline students. It’s a necessary hassle.
Most creative gift, given or received: One of my books (which are memoirs in poetry). The best gifts are “hand made.”
Movie you’ve seen the most: “U2: Rattle and Hum.”
Book you’ve read most: The Catcher in the Rye.
Fictional character you identify with: Holden Caulfield.
Obsolete item you won’t trash: Pac-Man video game device.
What you wanted to be at age 10: Certainly NOT a librarian!
Student pet peeve: Being self-centered and not thinking about community.
Procrastination technique: Taking a nap.
Secret hobby: Writing outside, in the mountains.
Favorite historical figure: Martin Luther King, Jr. The man could speak to the heavens and truly make people believe.
Favorite piece of art in your home/anywhere: An oil painting of a large pear. It’s delicious.
Movie star you always wanted to be: Woody Allen (sometimes).
Favorite gadget: My piano (which I’m finally learning to play).
Topic you love but won’t discuss at a party: Cataloging…
The last meal you had: Veggie lasagna.
Funniest English word(s): Periwinkle.
Most memorable teaching experience: College essay writing workshop.
Most-visited website, why: American Memory historical collections from the Library of Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html. I’m gaga about primary sources! Just ask the poor students who I helped with research last week.
Favorite cancelled-too-soon TV show: “My So-Called Life” (mid-90s teen drama).
Most beloved/interesting item at your office desk: MCHS staff photo, 2011-2012.
Ms. Lechtman • Oct 19, 2012 at 9:59 am
Haha, I just saw this, I loved My So-Called Life! It was cancelled way too soon. It was raw, real and I would sit on the couch, hide the remote and wait for it to come on.
David Kates, Librarian • Dec 11, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I definitely agree about My So-Called Life. It was refreshing to see bright high-achievers in realistic situations for a change. Claire Danes is superb.
cmcadamis • Dec 7, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I would just like to agree that My So-Called Life was cancelled too soon. While our students would take many of its riskier themes for granted now, it was intelligently groundbreaking back in the day. Oh, and I also did have a huge crush on Claire Danes.