Audience members tapped their feet and sang along to the songs of Stevie Wonder, as the musician's one time teacher told stories about his time with the famous songwriter.
Tim Hull, who taught Wonder in the 1960s from fifth grade to high school graduation, spoke Tuesday at Gretchen Everhart School to a room of more than 50 particular education teachers and music lovers.
Hull traveled from his home in Tampa after being asked by student Colleen Morrissey, who is studying exceptional student education at Florida State University.
Morrissey read Hull's book "The Wonder Years: My Life and Times with Stevie Wonder" for a class grant and was inspired to bring the author to Tallahassee to speak about teaching the visually impaired musician.
Hull, who is legally blind, explained that he was asked to privately teach Wonder while Wonder traveled on tour because of his experience in teaching blind children in Detroit. He later became Wonder's tour manager.
"I wanted to learn about the techniques he used with Stevie Wonder," Mickey Damelio, a teacher of the visually impaired, said about attending the event.
Particular education teacher Barbara Donaldson said she wanted to hear Hull tell his story.
"He gave a historical perspective of the '60s and talked about how he was able to overcome all obstacles," she said.
Linda Jones read a Braille excerpt of Hull's book to the pair. She read about two traveling around the world and the prejudices they faced being a white teacher with a black student.
"Tim's book is not only about his time with Stevie, but gives us a personal up-front view of the '60s," Jones said.
Hull spoke fondly about his time with his student and friend, but vividly remembered his favorite times; listening to Wonder sing and record music.
Tim Hull, who taught Wonder in the 1960s from fifth grade to high school graduation, spoke Tuesday at Gretchen Everhart School to a room of more than 50 particular education teachers and music lovers.
Hull traveled from his home in Tampa after being asked by student Colleen Morrissey, who is studying exceptional student education at Florida State University.
Morrissey read Hull's book "The Wonder Years: My Life and Times with Stevie Wonder" for a class grant and was inspired to bring the author to Tallahassee to speak about teaching the visually impaired musician.
Hull, who is legally blind, explained that he was asked to privately teach Wonder while Wonder traveled on tour because of his experience in teaching blind children in Detroit. He later became Wonder's tour manager.
"I wanted to learn about the techniques he used with Stevie Wonder," Mickey Damelio, a teacher of the visually impaired, said about attending the event.
Particular education teacher Barbara Donaldson said she wanted to hear Hull tell his story.
"He gave a historical perspective of the '60s and talked about how he was able to overcome all obstacles," she said.
Linda Jones read a Braille excerpt of Hull's book to the pair. She read about two traveling around the world and the prejudices they faced being a white teacher with a black student.
"Tim's book is not only about his time with Stevie, but gives us a personal up-front view of the '60s," Jones said.
Hull spoke fondly about his time with his student and friend, but vividly remembered his favorite times; listening to Wonder sing and record music.
