In 2003 I got a call from NYSEC,
the New York State English Council
asking for permission to use this photograph on the cover of their book
for that year's conference titled, "Literacy for All." It shows one of
the educators I admire most, Patricia Martone, with two of her
students. For over 35 years, along with her colleauges in All for
Education, she has had consistent success enabling children to read and
become kinder to each other, teaching with Aesthetic Realism as her
basis in some of the economically hard hit areas of New York City.
When I visited her classroom, I marvelled at the way Ms. Martone could give her attention to one student, and still be aware of what was going on with everyone else, and that was on my mind when I took this picture. I also think I was affected by what it means to really comfort another person.
Comfort can, and should, be a mooring that strengthens us, makes us want to welcome the world more, and I see that here, as well. The student nestles in the crook of her teacher's arm, and they are further joined through a graceful, strong S curve formed by the white trim of the student's dress, and the outline of the teacher's arm, shoulder and hair. This impersonal structure, and the fact that teacher and student are each thoughtfully engaged with something else, are what I believe make this a picture of comfort that is beautiful, not smothering. The student in the background adds to this effect as she is close to them through compressed perspective, at the same time she looks off in yet another direction.
When I visited her classroom, I marvelled at the way Ms. Martone could give her attention to one student, and still be aware of what was going on with everyone else, and that was on my mind when I took this picture. I also think I was affected by what it means to really comfort another person.
Comfort can, and should, be a mooring that strengthens us, makes us want to welcome the world more, and I see that here, as well. The student nestles in the crook of her teacher's arm, and they are further joined through a graceful, strong S curve formed by the white trim of the student's dress, and the outline of the teacher's arm, shoulder and hair. This impersonal structure, and the fact that teacher and student are each thoughtfully engaged with something else, are what I believe make this a picture of comfort that is beautiful, not smothering. The student in the background adds to this effect as she is close to them through compressed perspective, at the same time she looks off in yet another direction.