Vincent Gibbs, an English and drama teacher at the now-closed Peary High School in Rockville, peered out his bedroom window at the two busloads of his former students gathered on his Germantown front lawn.
They serenaded their beloved teacher with Christmas songs, words of tribute and lots of signs Saturday afternoon.
Wearing a microphone to make his weakened voice heard, he said, “I am so overwhelmed. I can’t believe so many people would show uo for a guy who was a slave driver.”
Gibbs, who has been battling cancer since 2018, called the day, “one of the most memorable occasions of my life.”
Memorable and inspiring are the words many of his former students said of their years in his classroom or at play rehearsal. Gibbs taught from 1962 until 1984, producing about 40 shows and reaching thousands of students.
Elaine Ganey of the Class of 1972 said that Gibbs “took a very shy, very awkward girl and gave me confidence.”
Paula Sweeney, who arranged the holiday greetings, declared, “He was so special, because he taught us that if we want to do anything in life, to reach for the stars.”
Cliff Bannister, Class of 1971, said Gibbs knew how to reach the school’s jocks. Added Rich Collins, Class of 1962, “Within months, we went from jocks to student athletes.”
Charles Blaha, a soccer player from the class of 1973, addressed Gibbs. “I don’t know what you saw in me, but it really made a difference. It opened up the arts to me.”
Bill Thomas, Class of 1970, told of going into the audition room in sweats right after lifting weights and trying out for a play. “You took a risk” that resulted in “opening up a whole new life” that included opera, ballet and Broadway. “You just created a whole new world for us, and we are all here to give you thanks.”
Molly Monahan Perry declared that Gibbs taught her how to read literature and understand what the author was saying. “After that, I just read differently,” said Perry, a member of the Class of 1974.
Added Pam Littlewood, Class of 1965, “He always challenged us. He was just larger than life.”
When the caroling ended, Gibbs clapped. “I want to see every one of you next year. We are going to do it again unless I am gone with the wind.”
