Who is Lyman Fowler from The Man Who Listens to Horses and what is their importance?

Lyman Fowler is Monty's teacher when he is a senior in high school. At one point, he asks the students to write an essay about their dreams. Monty writes about how he wants to own a thoroughbred training facility. Lyman gives Monty an F and tells him that he should not write about dreams that are unattainable. Monty refuses to rewrite the essay. Many years later, Lyman Fowler learns that Monty has, in fact, achieved his dreams. He shows up one day at Monty's training facility and admits that he was wrong.