News

Date Posted Arrow down
  • John Eastman
    11/1/2010 @ 7:46 PM
    I had the wonderful privilege of knowing Dr. Sheets as my home room advisor, Spanish teacher, and philosophy teacher at St. John's, back in 1984. His elective philosophy seminar was hands down the most mind-expanding, deeply engaging and memorable single class of my entire high school and college experience. You could feel your brain stretching and humming in that classroom. He also introduced a number of us to the pleasures of Lebanese food and empanadas. Dr. Sheets was simply the finest of teachers--inspiring, passionate, demanding, kind, quirky, life-changing.
  • Orson Cook
    11/1/2010 @ 6:58 PM
    Hal and I were colleagues at St. John's School for five years during the early 1980s where we jointly taught a course in United States history. Ours was a wonderfully productive collaborative relationship which was among the most gratifying teaching experiences of my professional career. Hal was a demanding colleague who did not suffer fools lightly, but somehow we hit it off and put together a course which pleased us both. Since that time we have worked together on a number of teaching workshops and even a writing project or two. Through it all Hal was a model colleague and friend from whom I learned much about the process of teaching and learning. I simply cannot imagine planning a course, or a lecture, or a class discussion without thinking of him and his creative approach to teaching. I miss him already. Charles Orson Cook Visiting Professor The Honors College University of Houston
  • Alicia Goodrow
    11/1/2010 @ 12:53 PM
    Dr. Sheets gave generously of his time, intellect, and good judgment to all around him. How prescient it was to require multiple readings and thoughtful consideration of Moby Dick and Thucydides of the generation of future Houston leaders who would be drawn into the Enron and other ego-maniacal enterprises! Conversations (and doodles) from 25 years earlier still echo in my head as I work through the micro and macro challenges in our lives. Of course we all understood that behind Hal stood Ladd who welcomed us into their home and shoved her bushy beard, big brain husband out the door each day.
  • Jeff Brock
    10/31/2010 @ 10:15 AM
    When I opened my newspaper and I read the news of the passing of Hal Sheets, I was saddened but immediately reminded of this exceptional individual. An extradordinary person with the wonderful gift to not just teach but immerse students in his areas of passion, the education of his students in our country's history. Hal was more than just a teacher. With a twinkle in his eye and wry wit, he would broaden one's view of the world with his enlarged palette of views and thoughts. As a colleague I learned many an important lesson from Hal. He will be missed by many an individual and touched all of us deeply. I am proud to say that I was one of Hal's friends.
  • Ellisa Cole-Goldsmith
    10/30/2010 @ 5:10 PM
    Dr. Sheets was an inspirational teacher. He got me excited and motivated to study Spanish which I have continued to do throughout the years since I last saw him (I graduated in 1984). No other teacher could get a class of teenagers to think and discuss with such passion. I still remember the Spanish dinner of paella and flan that my classmates and I attempted to make for him at my house senior year! He taught us a lot about language and about life.
  • Harry Portwood
    10/29/2010 @ 5:11 PM
    Hal and I carpooled together when we were both teachers at St. John's. I was still a novice teacher, and our conversations were wonderful. Still trying to figure out what life was about (which I'm still doing), Hal confirmed that I was not alone. He was one of the most scintillating, deep-thinking, reflective persons I have ever known.
  • Keith Wildasin
    10/29/2010 @ 4:25 PM
    Dr. Sheets was my AP US History teacher at St. Johns in Houston back in 1984. He was the best teacher I ever had -- no professor at Stanford came close. Not even close. He taught me to see history as a continuum, to see worldwide movements and transitions, while keeping class fun. He was also my advisor, cautioning me (with his knowing smile) not to be such a gadfly so early in the morning. Students live to have such teachers; I was privileged. All my best wishes to his loving family.
  • Perry Ruthven
    10/29/2010 @ 3:37 PM
    Dr. Sheets was such an incredible teacher. I will never forget his interest in my education as well as his wonderful baritone, Spanish accent on words like Yo (pronounced by Dr. Sheet "Joe"). I fell blessed to have walked the Earth during his time. Hasta luego, Senor Sheets!
  • Julie Alonso
    10/29/2010 @ 2:38 PM
    I'm saddened to hear this news. Dr. Sheets was so kind to my mom (Sra. Amalia Hethcoat) in her first years of teaching at St. John's. I'll never forget him. My deepest condolences go out to his family.
  • Susan Garwood
    10/29/2010 @ 2:18 PM
    Hal Sheets is the reason I got into college. He was my Spanish teacher and advisor at St. John's School in Houston. I was not a great student but Mr.Sheets took such an interest in me and my academic success and I will never forget it. He also hosted backyard croquet parties at his home in the Heights and we all loved that. What a great guy. I send my sincere condolences to his wife and family.
  • Robbie Evans
    10/29/2010 @ 9:15 AM
    Dr. Sheets was an amazing teacher and a wonderful man. He ranks among the best teacher I have had, including all of my college professors. I count my self lucky and blessed to have had him as a teacher, I am saddened that future Newman students won't have the privilege and honor to have Dr. Sheets engage them and broaden their minds in the class room. You will be missed

Sad News from Newman

T.J. Locke

Dear Friends,

 

I write today with the very sad news that Dr. Hal Sheets, a beloved and revered member of our faculty, passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family.

 

The upper school students were told the news this morning. Guidance counselor Michael Prevost led the assembly. One of Dr. Sheets’s students, Laura Rutledge ’11, read from this week’s Homecoming program. “Dr. Sheets draws people in; he transforms people from kids to students, from students to scholars. He demands the highest quality of performance and effort, and in return, students produce the best they possibly can for him.” Click here to read the class's dedication to Dr. Sheets.

 

Dr. Sheets joined the faculty in 1999 and had a strong impact on his colleagues in addition to the hundreds of students who were privileged to learn with him. Upper School Head Lolly Hand referred to him as the “lion” of the faculty in my conversation with her this morning. Lolly went on to say, “Hal’s intellectual capacity, courage and charisma had, and will continue to have, a huge impact on our faculty.”

 

Like so many others, I feel that Hal has been a mentor to me and a source of wisdom. I feel blessed that I was able to spend an hour with him last week. The precious time I had was filled with laughter, philosophy, and irreverence, and of course we talked about schools and how we can serve our students best. His passion was the classroom and his students. I will miss him dearly. I know we all will.

 

The family is making arrangements. We will share the details with you once we learn more. Guidance counselors Michael Prevost and Sheila Gold will be available to students and faculty.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

T.J. Locke

Back
1903 Jefferson Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504.899.5641
Fax: 504.896.8597
Open 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
An independent,
co-educational,
non-denominational day
school in New Orleans for
early childhood through 12th grade