Judy Caldwell Flanigan

Tonight one of my great mentors, Judy Caldwell Flanigan is inducted into the Fayette County Teachers Hall of Fame. I know that this Hall of Fame is not known around the world and that world will little note what happens in a small town in Indiana tonight, but for me this is a special event. We lost Judy a few years ago, too soon and too tragically. But while she is gone, she is never far from my heart.

Below is a letter I sent to support her nomination into the Hall of Fame.

To: Nomination Committee of the Fayette County Teachers Hall of Fame

From: Mark Fish

The last time I saw Judy Caldwell Flannigan, was in May, 2004, when I dropped by her house on one of my rare visits to Connersville. As I entered her house I could see it contained the familiar eclectic collection of magazines, drawings, sketches, ceramics, paintings and objet d’arte. I knew the stories behind many of the objects there and I understood that each new item, that had been added since my last visit, probably had an equally interesting anecdote to go along with it.

We talked for a while, caught up on the last few years, showed each other pictures of friends and children. It was not long before she mentioned a name I did not recognize. Of course she was sure I knew this person. I knew before I left her house, I would almost know him. As she passionately told me the story about this former student’s success, she reached for a scrapbook on her coffee table. The book was well over six inches thick; it was bulging and overflowing on every edge and corner. I was not even sure she could lift it. She thumbed through the book for a few minutes, stopping on a few pages, pointing out some people I did know, giggled at some old photos, gasping at others and then she finally found the page dedicated to her former pupil. The page contained a clipping from the Indianapolis Star that told the story of the former Connersville native’s business success. She read me a few quotes from the story and mentioned that the last time he was in town he had stopped by to see her.

Judy did not try to take credit for his success. She knew that what she taught him in art class did not directly contribute to his business accomplishments. What she did know, is that he thought it did, and that made her glow. She was so proud of him.

The reason I tell this story in such detail is because I think it is a great reflection on how Judy felt about teaching, her students and Fayette County. Like the former student from the clipping, I think Judy changed my life. Although she only formally taught me for two semesters in the 9th grade, she was a teacher to me before and long after that. Of course in the classroom she taught me about fine art, graphic design, art history and appreciation, but she taught me so much more.

Judy loved the terrain and people of Fayette County and she was an active participant in the life and culture of her hometown. She always encouraged me to be a participant too. Her actions inspired me to be a good student and to be involved in extracurricular activities at school.  Outside of school, with her help I was a very active member of the Whitewater Valley Art Association and the John Conner Players. By being involved in the community, I gained so much knowledge. I learned people and human nature and my confidence grew. All of these things would help me greatly in the future.

I have been lucky to have had an interesting career in the arts and business. While I was an editor in New York, I worked with Robert Altman, Woody Allen and Bill Moyers.  I got to work on great projects with some great artists and thinkers of our time. When I was working with these people I would always remember something that Judy taught me and put it to use.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about her. Whether I am choosing a typeface for a webpage, trying to find a metaphor to describe an idea to a potential client or to negotiate a difficult contract with an vendor, Judy is here with me. She was an amazing teacher.

Before I left her house on that May day, Judy showed me a few pages in the scrapbook with clippings about me. Some were very old, but some were recent. I was very touched that she had saved so many items about me. I felt honored to be surrounded by all of those Fayette County celebrities and to be in her hall of fame

.I cannot imagine a better candidate for the Fayette County Teachers Hall of Fame than Judy Caldwell Flanigan.

Very sincerely,
Mark Fish