Educator

During a lifetime of creating artworks across a variety of media, Lee Francis Dadalt always remained true to his philosophy that art - both in the creative process and the completed works - should be fun. A public school art teacher for more than 30 years, he looked forward to inspiring and encouraging young artists as he lived his classroom philosophy and led by example. 

His students say it best:

I had Mr. Dadalt during middle school while in Old Lyme. Mr. Dadalt sent me on my path as an artist and filmmaker. I so looked forward to his classes--he had the best energy--very warm and relaxed.

I just saw a quotation by author George Saunders the other day that seems very appropriate in thinking about Mr. Dadalt. It reads, "Our teachers, if they are good, do something almost holy, which we never forget: they take us seriously." That, to me, was the brilliant essence of Mr. Dadalt's teaching. It was a gift to have him 

  Mr. Dadalt's love and passion for art and his dedication to his students made him a truly remarkable man.

  I would shift my class schedule around to constantly take his, he gave me permission to be as creative as I wished and not to let boundaries even exist. IN eight grade he entered a painting of mine into a state competition where I won a gold key. I still have that award. Actually, out of all the sports and a few academic awards which came with a prize that is the only one I have held onto.

  I had Mr. Dadalt for 7th (86’ to 87’) and maybe 8th (87’ to 88’) grade art class (I can’t remember). He is the ONLY teacher that I think about regularly from that period in my life and junior high. He was playful and curious and nurturing. He talked to me like I was a person and not a child. 

I had Mr. Dadalt back in the late 80s, 87-89 in middle school. I remember that he had a kick pottery wheel in his classroom and that was my first experience on a wheel. From the moment I started on that wheel, I loved it. I made my first plate that year. It was glazed blue. I don’t have it any longer but I held into that plate for a long time.  The love of clay carried in into my early adult years as I bought my first electric wheel. I took lessons and it has been a hobby in and off since then. I am a teacher now and won’t forget the opportunity he gave me to explore different areas in class. He was a fun and creative teacher. His class was a safe space.

 I remember learning about printing, including block wood printing.  I carved a block wood print of John Lennon wearing yellow glasses.  The printing on rice paper came out so well that Mr. Dadalt had it mounted and entered it into the high school art show.

 Bob Marley’s ” We jammin.” Was a regular on the tape deck in art class 7th grade with Mr. Dadalt. It wasn’t just a class it was an experience that changed our lives. I ended up in the art field myself and it’s not easy. Thank you Mr. Dadalt for giving us a safe place to create and be expressive during a difficult time for so many of us. 

 I’m a professional photographer now and his ability to let us roam free in our minds creatively has a lot to do with him. 

 I am writing this after teaching my fifth grade art class. I have turned down the lights, and begun my standard breathing exercises that have become a daily routine. Having taught middle school art for over 12 years now, I have mad respect for Mr. Dadalt.