In My Humble Jewish Opinion...

My Teachers/Mothers/Sisters

Well, it took me a while, but I finally thought of something positive. Nah, I'm kidding, but after spending an hour on the phone with a teacher from high school, I remembered the thought that often occupies my mind, "My teachers are awesome, special people."

I guess I was always that eager-to-please dork in the class who did whatever the teacher said, and was therefore often favored. In third grade, my Hebrew teacher called me aside one day and told me that if I try hard in Chumash, she'd get me a gift at the end of the year. That year, I had an ID crisis-I hated my name, and decided to go by my middle name. The end of June came around, and she handed me my gift as promised. I opened the wrapping to reveal a keychain with my middle name on it. I still have it. Throughout the year, she often borrowed my Journal from English, and noticed a picture I had drawn for her when she had a baby, but was too shy to give to her. She praised it and asked if she could have it.

In fourth grade, my English teacher used to call me out during D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything and Read) to see how everything was going, and fostered a connection with me. Every year after that, I had similar connections, but that would take all day. I'll just skip to the more recent ones.

In eighth grade, when I went through my "rebellious stage," one teacher provided me and my friends with an open invitation to her house, which only I chose to take advantage of, and that invitation still stands. (Last I checked, anyway...) I don't talk to her every day, but when I do, it's as if I have. Anytime I need advice, I don't hesitate to call her. She always makes time for me. If it's not when I call, it's a half-hour later. With a large family Bli Ayen Hora, she is sure to give me the attention I need. I have watched her children grow (on and off) and the older ones sure remember me.

In high school, I was trying to get out of going on some dumb trips. (Always hated trips. Always will.) It was the end of the day, and there was another teacher in the office who heard the conversation. It was the beginning of 11th grade. I left the principal's office, and swiftly made my escape with tears welling up in my eyes. "Don't run!" My new teacher yelled after me, and she caught up with me and consoled me. We exchanged e-mail addresses, and built a close relationship. We always talked about how I am the younger version of her, and I kind of think of her as the older sister I always wish I had. Every Shabbaton, we'd have a scheduled walk and talk. She drove me home from a Layl Iyun once or twice because we were talking the whole time anyway, and when she left, why should I have bothered to stay? Now, don't start this whole favoritism garbage, she wasn't "yeshivish" enough for the other to kids to "like" her. All the more for me then. She's just so cool and down to earth. She treats her students like people, like equals, with proper respect, not like subhuman beings only there to learn her subject and do her work.

The other teacher, the one I was on the phone with for an hour tonight, is extraordinary. She was really not feeling well tonight, but when I texted her that I needed to talk, she said, "For you? Sure." She has done so much for me. Whatever I have gone though in high school, and after high school, she was always there for me. Also, if she can't talk when I call, we speak later that day. She's also married with a family, and she still gives me time. And energy. And great advice. She's open, she's honest, and she sincerely cares about me. She always listens with a full ear, and remembers things I forgot about. She gives me the encouragement I need without an ego. She has faith in me and my abilities like a parent does a child. Despite the fact that she is in touch with many of her students, she always manages to make me feel special, like I'm the only one.

The important aspect about these relationships is the openness and honesty that we share. They tell me anecdotes about their lives for me to learn from, and they always react so non-chalantly no matter what I choose to discuss. I really feel like I can open up to them about anything and everything I think about. They never judge me by what I tell them, but remind me when I am judgemental. They respect me for who I am inside, because that's what they know.

Truth be told, there are more teachers to discuss. I honestly have no idea where I would be without them, considering what I have endured in life thus far. I run to them about everything important. I depend on them. I love them like a parent or a sister. Every relationship is different. But my point is that I do know there are some selfless, loving, giving people out there. They just all happen to teach at my school.

posted by Michelle @ 6:40 PM