WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON -- Next April, as they do each spring, Rafe Esquith's fifth- and sixth-grade students at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School west of downtown Los Angeles will perform Shakespeare in their street clothes.
And as in other years, Academy Award-nominated actor Sir Ian McKellen plans to be there to watch.
McKellen, who recently played Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," comes to see 11- and 12-year-old kids spout Shakespeare. A few years ago, McKellen took a break from filming to watch "Rafe's kids." A few years before that, he made the trip to Hobart even though the Academy Awards were the next evening.
On Monday, however, instead of the British coming to see Esquith and his students, Esquith went to see the British.
He was in Washington to be honored at the British Embassy for service to British-American relations through his Hobart Shakespeareans Project. Started with the help of one of Esquith's former students, the program works to improve the quality of life of inner-city kids through the study of Shakespeare.
British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer called Esquith "one of that rare breed of teachers whose influence extends well beyond the classroom. His remarkable career ... stands as a testament to what passion, imagination and energy can achieve."
Three other Americans were honored for aiding the families of British American victims of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York. The Rev. Andrew Craig Mead, rector of St. Thomas Church, was recognized for his spiritual help, including organizing a multi-faith prayer service for the families of British victims. Richard J. Sheirer, former commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management, was honored for organizing recovery efforts after the terrorist attacks. And Bradford Billet, deputy commissioner of the New York City Office of the Mayor, was recognized for working closely with the British consulate general to compile a list of foreign nationals and a DNA list of survivors.
Monday's award was the latest in a series of honors Esquith has received for his work at Hobart, where he has taught for 18 years. In 1992 he received a National American Teacher Award, and in 1997 he was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by Parents magazine.
