In Praise of Teachers

By Lou Pastina

I recently attended a 50-year celebration of St. Francis Prep’s historic move from Williamsburg to Fresh Meadows. While the distance is only 11 miles, the differences between the two locations could not be more different culturally. The Franciscan Brothers who came from Ireland to teach those in need set up shop in Brooklyn and began to teach the values of St. Francis of Assisi to their students. I had the opportunity to connect with old friends, greet and thank some of the remaining Brothers who made such an impact on me and the others who had gathered to celebrate them.

This is Holy Week, and in general, teachers have off this week. It’s coming to the last part of the school year and teachers need a breather to gain strength to make it to the finish line. Both my daughter and son-in-law are special education teachers. Theirs is more of a calling than a profession. Much like the Franciscans, special education teachers dedicate their lives to educating those that are in need. It is not an easy job, and the pay is nowhere near commensurate with the work involved.

I am blessed to be able to bring my granddaughter to pre-K, sharing the duty with the mermaid and my daughter’s in-laws. We are lucky to share in the joy of bringing a 3-year-old to school, one who really loves going to school, loves her teachers and fellow students. Every time I bring her to the old St. Camillus location, I am amazed at the dedication of the teachers and staff there. No matter what role or position the person has at the school, every morning they are there with smiles on their faces greeting my tiny mermaid by name. They do that to every student that walks through the doors at 8:10, rain or shine. It’s impressive on many levels. First off, I don’t smile every day, and I can’t remember names to save my life, never could.  They make it their business to do both. On the occasions when I get to pick her up, it’s the same, and that’s after a long day. It’s a goodbye followed by a personal greeting. Thank God for teachers.

I still am in contact with my freshman English teacher, a Franciscan, who inspired me to be more. He developed in me a love of writing that I carry on to this day, and I am indebted to him for helping tease out that passion. There were plenty of others who also encouraged me and guided me through life’s journey. I have never forgotten them. Some recognized when I was struggling and they gently nudged me in the right direction. Those nudges are life affirming and redemptive. They are as important as a smile to a 3-year-old, letting them know that school is a safe place, a place for fun and learning, making friends, cementing memories.

I attended the reunion with the mermaid of course, but also with a friend who sat in front of me starting in the second grade. We wound up attending grammar school, high school and eventually college together. My brother and his wife flew in from Nashville to attend as well. Although five years younger, he had the same experiences with the Franciscans that I did, only his was exclusively in Fresh Meadows, whereas mine overlapped the Williamsburg location for three years. The others sitting at our table were life-long friends as well. We were all there to celebrate the historic move, meet some classmates from 50 years ago, and celebrate the Franciscans for their devotion and love of teaching.

So, during this Holy Week, if you see a teacher, celebrate them too. They are guiding the next generation in a world that is very different than the one we grew up in 50 years ago. It is one filled with technology that we never had access to. Good teachers will guide the way for our kids and grandkids to learn to love learning and school. And that is a great gift, one that lasts a lifetime.