Most of us have had at least one or two teachers that have had a major impact on our life, yet after seven months of writing this column, no one had nominated a teacher as a Neighbourhood Hero.

When I mentioned this fact to Jim Turley, he was confident that two generations of Turleys, his sister, Eva, and his daughter, Stephanie, would want to nominate their high school biology teacher, Tom Hutton.

Being the proud brother, Jim described some of Eva's accomplishments since she left Hutton's classroom. The list was long.

She has a PhD from UBC and a post-doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University. From that foundation she went on to become a leading scientist at several Canadian and American universities, at Toronto's Sick Children's Hospital, and ... "Although I don't understand all the technical stuff," Jim told me, "she was the discovering scientist for something called RAM which has a lot to do with finding a possible cure for heart disease and cancer."

I'm sure you get the point, Eva Turley is a leading Canadian scientist and as you'll see, she gives a lot of credit for her success to Tom Hutton.

When I e-mailed Eva in California where she was finishing up a sabbatical with a Berkley researcher, I got the following reply.

"Yes, I would strongly support Tom's nomination," she enthused.

"In today's world, knowledge is a commodity that will enhance the wealth of our nation in a way that has never been true before, particularly in technology.

"Genius happens everywhere (not just in the US, for instance!) and teachers play an incredibly important role in nurturing gifted minds and also stimulating the more average amongst us.

"Tom stands out as a teacher because of his enthusiasm, his knowledge (he always kept up with issues in science) and his teaching style, which was non-intimidating, project oriented, interactive and FUN. He "turned-on" many students to biology as indicated by the numbers who have gone on to become biologists and medical doctors. (Although Hutton never kept statistics, in one year, he told me, five of his former students were attending UBC medical school!)

"I feel slightly embarrassed by saying this," Turley continued, "but Tom was pivotal in my choosing and sticking with a career in science.

"Like most of us, I thought that I was a relatively stupid person (Hutton says 'she was an exceptional, brilliant and powerful student ... at another level altogether') but then Tom gave us a project to do and he commented upon those that stood out. Mine was amongst them and he noted that he had never read such a novel interpretation before.

"We accomplish what we imagine we can. That comment allowed me not only to seriously dream about being a scientist but also to have the guts and tenacity to go after that dream.

"I thought about that comment many times when I was faced with the inevitable challenges of such a career choice.

"I will always be grateful to Tom Hutton."

Stephanie Turley had similar feelings about Hutton as a teacher.

"He loved science and he loved teaching," she said, "and that's what came out. Like most students, I really liked his class. In fact," she concluded, "I have applied to go into teaching and it's largely because of him."

Hutton's former students won't be surprised to learn that he is approaching retirement as he approached teaching ... with boundless enthusiasm and good humour.

If he's not careful, he says, his newfound passion for watercolour painting could become too successful, "more of a business than a hobby".

Have you ever noticed that success seems to follow those people who exude enthusiasm, good humour and a positive attitude? Strange isn't it?