In Memory of Philip Osborne Mott

Longtime former Stuyvesant English teacher Philip Osborne Mott passed away on March 30, 2021. He taught at Stuyvesant from 2002 to 2017, where he led the American Literature and Shakespeare classes. However, Philip did more than just teach. He created a theater, with a stage and curtains, in his room on the 10th floor for the students in his Shakespeare class to fully act out the plays. He was invited as the student-selected graduation speaker for the Class of 2006. He sang Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor alongside the Stuyvesant choir in the Spring Concert and at Carnegie Hall in 2016.

For many, Philip was more than just an instructor or colleague, but also a friend. While current Stuyvesant students did not have the privilege to meet him, countless administrators, teachers, and other staff members can distinctly remember his presence. He was known to have an infectious smile, a creative mind, and a uniquely strong bond with his students, past and present. Whether it was his passion for teaching, ability to form connections with his students, sense of humor, or love for the arts, Philip made an immeasurable impact on the Stuyvesant community.

In honor of Philip, a virtual ceremony, hosted by choral director Liliya Shamazov and health teacher Barbara Garber, was hosted on May 12. Family, friends, and former colleagues attended the ceremony.

Some quotes have been altered for clarity and concision.

Jack Cruse (‘18)

“I met him when I helped out Pepe in the attendance office, and he would stop in with his forms or say ‘hi’ to Pepe. He would always crack jokes and take the time out to make a little conversation with the both of us. After our little conversations, he would always say ‘hi’ to me in the hallways with such kindness and warmth that was uncommon with Stuy teachers. I never had him as a teacher, but I was thankful that we got to know each other through our small encounters. He was a much-appreciated wake-up call to relax and be a person when I was dragging my sleep-deprived self around Stuy. He will be missed.”

Lisa Shuman, history teacher

“While I hadn't seen Philip for a couple of years, we had our singing in common, and we had been friends in school. In fact, at a student talent show he facilitated many years ago, I serenaded him with a bluesy version of “Summertime,” and we always jokingly recalled that as our BONDING moment. Indeed it was. I am honored we did that together so many years ago. Anything that encouraged students’ exposure to arts and artistic expression he was at the forefront of and was their inspiration. We both performed Mozart’s Requiem with Stuyvesant's magnificent student chorus at Carnegie Hall, generously allowed and under the brilliant direction of [former Stuyvesant choral director Holly] Hall and [Shamazov]. The comfort and joy the students felt just standing and singing next to and around him and their admiration for him [were] apparent throughout rehearsals. An unconventional guy at a conventional school, a lover of arts and creative expression, [Philip], I believe, exposed our students to lessons beyond academia and helped foster in them a sense of individualism and confidence. I am happy to have met him and happy to be able to recall his most vivacious smile. Rest in Peace.”

Dina Ingram, Director of Family Engagement

“[Philip] was a vivacious, amazing, and caring individual who may not have always followed every academic line of policy but truly cared for his students and always was sincere and empathetic. He was endearing, and his smile was contagious. I only had the opportunity to work at Stuy in the last year before his retirement (though I knew of him in the three previous years as a Stuy parent of a ‘17 student). The outstanding memory I have of [Philip] was that he always greeted me with a smiling ‘hello’ and conversation every single time he saw me… every single time. It’s something I have remarked about before his death several times––how he was always present. It seemed he was never too busy or preoccupied to notice people and had a sincere personal interest in so many. I guess that is why so many people, including myself, miss him and his comforting smile.”

Eric Contreras, former Stuyvesant principal

“I first got to know him as a teacher and a person when he was my oldest daughter Hannah’s English teacher. Stuyvesant can be a very tough place for students––a lot of work, a lot of stress––and his class was her moment of joy. So as a parent, I would hear how [Philip’s class] would be the place where she had meaningful connections with her teacher. My first interaction with [Philip] was at my first parent-teacher conference as a ninth grade parent, and he ran it differently […] He look[ed] at me, and he [said], ‘You must be Hannah’s father.’ I don’t know how much I look like my daughter, but that told me ‘I know who she is.’ So in a school where, as a ninth grader, you can get lost in this large, 10-floor building with 3,300 students, my first memory is sitting down as a parent and having him recognize my daughter through my face [...] That’s what I remember most about [Philip]––he created a space where students are known, where they were humanized, and where they were heard.”

Undine Guthrie, guidance counselor

“[Philip] was an extremely captivating type of individual. It’s like wherever [Philip] was, tension [was] going to come in that direction because of his sense of humor. Like I’ve had some of the biggest belly laughs around [Philip], as well as some really serious conversations about really caring about people, about students, about families, about things going on in this world and always having a voice, and [about] not being afraid [...] One thing I loved about Mr. Mott was that he wasn’t afraid to share how he felt about things in his life or what’s going on, and I could never make it down the hallway without him not talking to so many students.”

Liliya Shamazov, choral director

“He was a true gentleman [and] just a really great guy to hang out with [and] to sing with. He loved music. He loved singing [...] There was a piece where we really needed a tenor, and he was a tenor [...] He received permission to attend rehearsals with us, and he started singing with us and learning the music [...] He sang with us at Carnegie Hall for Mozart’s Requiem in 2016 [... Philip] sang with us at Stuyvesant at the Spring Concert where we did the Mozart Requiem, and he’s singing with the tenors at our stage [...] He would always joke, but at the same time, he was always very insightful. He genuinely loved teaching and loved the kids. He made it a big deal that for him, it wasn’t about grades; it was [...] them and being a good human that he really valued. He taught kids life skills and etiquette skills and how to talk to people, how to be respectful. His classes were something more than an English class. It was always something more than a class. It was more of a family.”