Teacher Mabel Hefty played an important role in buffering the way for her new pupil. She had just completed a sabbatical teaching in Kenya and sought to nurture Obama's interest in his father's homeland. She shared her collection of Kenyan art with the students; she would sometimes pull Barry aside after class and tell him stories about her experiences in Kenya.
That December, Barack's father returned for a monthlong visit and was invited by Hefty to address the class.
Dewey later traveled with Dunham to the same village in Kenya where Obama's father came from and...