Honoring our Influences

By Avery Davidson
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

“For the lesson lies in learning
And by teaching, I’ll be taught.
For there’s nothing hidden anywhere,
It’s all there to be sought.”

-Procol Harum In Held ‘Twas In I

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been starting each blog with a quote. Until this one, I’ve only used quotes from the band Rush and that’s because I’m diving deep into the works of the late Neal Peart, who was the chief lyricist for the band. The quote above is from a Procol Harum song (The band’s only hit was A Whiter Shade of Pale) called In Held ‘Twas In I. The title comes from taking the first word of each part of the song, so it’s really not meant to make much sense. But there are several lines from that 19 minute epic song that influence me to this day, especially the open. (I suggest that you listen to the cover of In Held (‘Twas) In I by the Progressive Rock supergroup Transatlantic. It’s a little more palatable and features one of my favorite drummers, Mike Portnoy.)

Toby Daspit, Ph.D. is the reason why I’m beginning each of these posts with a quote. When I first met Dr. Daspit, he wasn’t Dr. Daspit. He was a tall, pasty, dark haired 23 year old who took a teaching job in Iberia Parish. His first job: teacher of the gifted. Normally, one would say gifted teacher, which Toby is, but he would always correct us to say “teacher of the gifted.” I’m not sure he was ready for our raucous group of high school juniors who had a reputation for, shall we say, challenging teachers… at least one to the point of retirement.

When Mr. Daspit, as I called him then, taught me English in the 11th grade at New Iberia Senior High, he had us write in our journals on a regular basis. To begin each journal entry, he gave us a quote. Sometimes it was from a Bob Dylan song. Sometimes it was from what were reading. Sometimes it was from a great thinker. Regardless, that practice stuck with me and to this day, when I’m writing, I at least begin in my mind with a quote that guides the words I use. 

Dr. Daspit is now the interim department head of Education Curriculum and Instruction at my the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He and I are still close friends and often go to concerts and bar gigs together. He remains a mentor in many aspects of my life. I’m grateful to have his influence in my life and that I get to share his influence with you.