That One Teacher

I hope that everyone has a story like mine. I hope that everyone has one teacher in your life that you can look back on and think “Man….she was the best.” Not necessarily the coolest, or the funniest, but the best. That one teacher that connected with you in a way that none other could. That one teacher that knew how to TEACH you.

For me it was Mrs. Abahazi. It was fifth grade when my life and her's came together. Mrs. Abahazi was a reader of people. She didn’t apply blanket teaching philosophy to all of her students equally. Obviously at the time I didn’t realize that. The realization came later, as I wished for another Mrs. Abahazi to enter my life. I was a handful as a child. I was hyperactive and learned more by doing than by listening. Mrs. Abahazi realized that and used it to help me learn.

I was a strong reader so instead of listening to others read to the class, I would read. I would read and when we we came to a hard word I would pause to tell everyone what it meant. She also sat me by the encyclopedias. That way, if I had a question about something we were talking about, I could look it up myself, instead of interrupting the class every 5 minutes.

I loved her and I missed her when I moved on, even then. A few days ago I was working and met an old secretary from my elementary school. I immediately asked about Mrs. Abahazi, since she is long retired. I found out that she is doing well, which made me happy. I gave the secretary my card and told her to tell Mrs. Abahazi that I said hello. Today I went to work and found this card in my box from Mrs. Abahazi. She thanked ME for all of the joy I had brought to HER. Imagine. I was just another hyperactive kid. What is amazing to me is that I believe her. I believe that I did bring joy to her, as did numerous other kids. You know why? Because Mrs. Abahazi is everything a teacher should be. She cares. She cares about each kid and about each education. She hasn’t given up on the system.

When I got that card it made my day. I called my mom, my wife, and told my friends. Even in retirement she is still teaching me. She is teaching me what it really means to be a teacher. She signed the card “Mrs. Abahazi” and I am glad she did. She will never be Barbara to me. She will always be Mrs. Abahazi, my favorite teacher.