Mr. Katz Stories

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Mr. Katz was well undescribable.he was more than a great teacher he was a great mentor.no amount of words can explain how much we will miss him- "his pink ladies" - Chrystal Martz

No matter what other projects I created, Mr. Katz always talked about this first thing I did for him--the Jewish Pope. It was goofy, it was offensive, and he loved it.Mr. Katz was more than a teacher, he was a mentor. I had always enjoyed writing and creating, but he was the one that who introduced me to the "art" of creating art. At that point in my life I wasn't sure if I wanted to pursue this media/communications thing as a career, or become a white-collared pencil pusher and let my dreams die. He validated my dreams. He told me to go for it. I did, and I've never looked back.In college, I sent him my first full-length screenplay (based on an idea I had in his class). His response: it was crap. No character depth, no real emotional attachments, and the story didn't go anywhere. I couldn't believe how harsh and out-of-character his response was. I took it personally. I was upset. But after a few months, I went back and reread the script. He was right. He saw the bigger picture, and knew that once I detached myself from the script, I would too. He was harsh because he cared. He could have easily said "keep up the good work...how's college?." But he didn't treat me as a former student, he treated me as a writer.I wish I had the chance to thank him.God bless.-Eric F. Gould

I am a friend of the Katz family. I just wanted to say that I think this tribute to Steve is one of the most kind, and thoughtful remembrances I have seen. This Site really shows who Steve was, and that even though his life was short, he made a difference in peoples lives. Steve was a great man, a great Friend, Father, Husband, and Teacher. He will be more than missed. Thank you for giving everyone a chance to know Steve Katz. Sincerely; -Jonathan Gordon

Mr. Katz was and still is a great inspiration to me. His class was never about film or tv or writing or media or any combination of those things as it probably should have been. Rather, it was about you and what you wanted from
the class. It was about him and his ideas, his small town window to the big city, his comfortably odd mannerisms, his childish passion for stories, hisrare and genuine desire to teach and promote the dreams of the kids who chose to dive (head first) into his own state of oblivion. Not like a sam beckett character, nor the sort that molds on ignorance-- a fantastic new oblivion. A life of the mind. I made screen-writing my class that year. I never stopped.
I don't want to let him down. -Bradley Parrett  (1 of 3 cabalerros) '99-'00

Mr. Katz was definitly one of the best teachers I ever knew. Not only did he care about what he taught, he cared about his students. He helped me out a lot my spring semester as a junior and all year as a senior. I always remember him being happy and always wanting to see a smile on everyone's face. I can still imagine him singing Plano Princess,a song from a movie a couple of the students in my class made. I know that he has made a deep impact on many peoples' lives just by knowing what can of man he was. I know he made an impact on my life and he will live on through his work and through are memories and in our hearts. -Johna Eldridge

I worked with Steve for several years. He always had good things to say. He will be missed. Thank you for your effort to honor him.   -Al Raya 

I had Mr. Katz my junior year in the Intro to Radio and Tv, he was so nice and would always ask how my day was going and if theres anything i needed. My senior year i was picking out my classes and i knew i wanted to be in his CMS class just because he was the teacher. At the beginning of the class i was not that intrested in filming, but after a few weeks he had taught me so much and it made me curious about the film world.  Every morning i would walk into class just like my junior year and he would ask how i was and we would talk about whats going on with drill team and everything else in my life.  He knew that I had Mr Jones as a teacher the year before so EVERY morning he would say " Amber have you gone to give Mr. Jones his hug yet?" and i would either say yes or no, and if i hadnt then he would make me walk to Mr Jones class room and give him a hug! He was the best teacher i ever had and will be deeply missed!  LoVe -Amber Wise

I worked with Steve for 5 years (in the TV Studio next door).  I still can't believe he is gone.  I find myself looking at that door over and over imagining him walking through with a big smile on his face saying "Mr. Turner!" with that great NY accent... all excited about some new movie, or asking about "The Little Nipper," as he called my daughter.  Steve was one of those vibrant personalities that people just loved to be around, myself included.   He was so funny, creative and outgoing that you just hoped some of it would rub off on you.  That is what I'll remember most.  I also thank you for creating this tribute, it was a great idea.  We have ALL lost one heck of a friend. -Steve Turner

 I never knew Mr. Katz as I graduated from Keller High School. However, I believe he must have been an incredible man to be loved so much by his former students and co-workers. There's only 1 teacher I love as much as you love Mr. Katz and they both are 1 in a million. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. RIP Stephen Katz  -Anonymous

. . . Steve was a wonderful man and he loved teaching you guys. It was more than just a job to him and I think that's what came across to you as well . . . -Barbara Katz

 As a Plano teacher I can only hope to impact my students the way Mr. Katz has his. My younger sister had Mr. Katz as one of her teachers and 3 years out of highschool she still refers to him quite often. Mr. Katz inspired my sister and today she is a communications major because of him. Mr. Katz was a wonderful man and is going to be missed greatly. My prayers are with his family, friends, and students.  - Erin Leigh

 Mr. Katz was the best teacher I ever had that really understood students. When you looked at him you knew he would say something that would make you smile. He always gave from the heart. Thats what made me admire him most. R.I.P Mr.Katz -Ernest Trice

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