Jenna Fischer

There was one in particular, a guy named Mr. Blackman, my second grade teacher.

And he's the one who got me interested in acting in the first place.

We were doing like a pilgrims meet the Native Americans thing.

It was a long time ago.

So a lot was being glossed over for sure.

But what I remember is we were rowing canoes and it was all mime.

You know, we were sitting in little chairs in the classroom.

It wasn't a big play.

It was just like an in-class thing.

And I started rowing the canoe, my mime rowing.

And then I changed my hands with the oar and rowed on the other side.

I'll never forget it.

He singled me out.

It's the first time I'd ever been singled out in any way.

And he gave me a pat on the back and said, notice how Steve rode on both sides of the canoe so we wouldn't go in a circle.

And he kept the canoe straight, you know, in this mime, you know, miming the canoe.

And something about that really struck me.

And I thought, wow.

And apart from that, he was just the most lovely guy and really kind to all the kids and everyone.

It was fun.