Ernesto Canalas was one of my Upper Darby teachers that I remember very clearly.  I also remember the classroom, in particular the reproduction of Pablo Picasso's "Guernica".  He gave us a clear understanding of what it was and what it represented that I still recall.

I was not a great Spanish student.  I did OK grade-wise, but there were aspects of his classes that made impressions that have lasted.  One was that the class periods after a test were routinely dedicated to singing Spanish and Mexican songs along with records he would play.  Here he also told stories about the songs and sometimes what they meant to him.  Once he let me borrow those records.  I still have a reel-to-reel tape recording of them.  "Angelitos Negros" is one I recall clearly.

I also recall a story of one of his friends buying him a Mariachi band for an hour for his birthday.

So Spanish did not make a big difference in my life.  But I think he did.  Many years ago I was able to reach him by telephone and tell him so.

Gracias Señor Canales.