My art teacher in junior high was a very out gay man and a

Gus Van Sant, the filmmaker who would later give voice to stories on the margins of society, once remembered with reverence: “My art teacher in junior high was a very out gay man and a mentor to me.” In this short reflection lies a treasure of meaning, for it is not simply the recollection of a teacher, but a recognition of how truth, courage, and mentorship can awaken the spirit of the young. It is the acknowledgment that a single figure, living authentically, can light the path for another, giving them the courage to see and the permission to dream.

The origin of this statement is deeply personal. Van Sant came of age in a time when many voices were silenced, when to be openly gay was often to invite scorn or isolation. Yet here was an art teacher, unafraid to live openly, embodying both his identity and his craft. For the young Van Sant, this was not only a lesson in brushstrokes and composition, but in authenticity itself. His mentor’s life was a living canvas of integrity, teaching that creativity is inseparable from the courage to be true to one’s self.

History has often shown how a single mentor can shape destiny. Consider Socrates, who, in the streets of Athens, guided Plato with questions more than answers, teaching him to search his own soul. Or recall Leonardo da Vinci, apprenticed to Verrocchio, who not only taught him the skills of art but also gave him the freedom to explore imagination without limit. In each case, the teacher’s presence did not merely impart knowledge, but awakened a sense of possibility, igniting greatness in the one who listened. So it was for Van Sant: his mentor’s art was not only on paper but in the shaping of lives.

The meaning of Van Sant’s words is both emotional and heroic. They remind us that true teaching is not confined to the lesson plan, nor limited to the canvas. It is the gift of example, the courage of authenticity, the gentle guidance of one who lives honestly. His teacher, by being “very out,” became more than an instructor—he became a symbol of freedom, a living proof that creativity and truth are not enemies, but allies. And in that freedom, the young artist discovered his own courage to see the world differently, to tell the stories that others were too afraid to tell.

There is also powerful cultural significance in this memory. At a time when many young people struggled to see themselves reflected in their communities, Van Sant’s mentor stood as a beacon. To see an openly gay teacher thriving in his role was to know that a different kind of life was possible, that dignity and artistry could coexist with authenticity. This is not only the story of one student and one teacher, but the story of countless lives shaped by mentors who dared to be themselves in a world that often demanded silence.

The lesson is timeless: the courage to live openly is itself a form of mentorship. You may not carry the title of teacher, yet your life will inevitably instruct others. If you live with fear, you will teach fear. If you live with honesty, you will teach honesty. If you live with love, you will teach love. The greatest mentors are not always those who speak the loudest, but those whose lives quietly, consistently, embody the truths they wish others to inherit.

Practically, this means two things: first, honor the mentors in your own life—the teachers, friends, family members, and even strangers whose authenticity shaped you. Remember them, thank them, carry their light forward. Second, recognize that you, too, are a mentor, whether you intend to be or not. The way you live, the courage you show, the honesty you hold—these will shape the souls who watch you. To live openly and truthfully is to leave behind a path for others to walk.

Thus, Gus Van Sant’s words endure as more than a memory. They are a reminder that mentorship is sacred, authenticity is transformative, and courage is contagious. The art teacher’s life became a lesson greater than any canvas could hold. Let us, then, strive to live so that our own lives may become such lessons—unafraid, unhidden, radiant with the truth of who we are—guiding others, as naturally as light guides the dawn.