"Sam is the person who, more than any other, continues to be a positive influence in my life, as a mentor and as a friend. I truly felt, and I still feel today, that Sam is a born teacher. He’s very attentive, caring, and passionate about everything you wish to share, taking in each argument before responding with a witty, punchy, and illuminating commentary. Sam’s teaching is challenging, rigorous, but those trainings are precisely what we need to cultivate rational interpretative skills and to learn the value of independent critical thinking. In 8th grade, we studied AP U.S. History—a college level class—using history journals and primary source records that usually wouldn’t be taught until high school. The course not only challenged my reading and writing skills, but opened my eyes to the world and kicked off a lifelong passion for History. We also read a wide range of literature, from Borges, to Kafka, to Chekhov, to Tom Robbins, and discussed social concepts from “rationalization” and “priming,” to literary elements like irony, paradox, and extended metaphor. We spent a lot of time practicing writing, and Sam’s feedback ensured that the original, creative core of my thoughts was preserved, while strengthening my premises, ideas, structure and style. Most importantly, he always took time to make sure I understood the logic behind every improvement so I could do it on my own the next time.
Through my entire journey from 8th grade until college, Sam has been someone whom I deeply trust and respect, to whom I look for guidance, through every success and failure. Our training yielded several important achievements, including a 20-page research paper the summer after 9th grade, a memoir assignment that went on to win a Scholastic Art and Writing award, and a history thesis in 11th grade that was published in the Concord Review. Outside of the academic sphere, Sam has been a great supporter of my music, and he often encourages me to reach out for more opportunities to get streamed or play on stage.
The most important lesson Sam taught me was to find something you love and don’t compromise. Our years studying together have been such a pleasure. It’s been a journey beyond factual knowledge and theoretical texts, less about reaping outward achievements than about cultivating a compassionate, generous human spirit. This is the type of humanistic education that no one should miss: to dismantle the reductive kind of thought and be willing to confront authorities, to embrace diverse societies and experiences, and to understand your place in the world while maintaining your own individuality.
Thank you, Sam, for everything you’ve done! In my opinion, you will always be the greatest teacher ever."
