©2019 amrodel
Dear Nancy,
I remember walking into your class junior year of high school. There was a variety of masks on your wall from previous years and your desk sat in this large semi-circle shape. The smart board was in the front of the class, where you would later play things like Disney’s version of Hercules, and your desk, cluttered with papers from this year and the last few, was in the back corner. I’ve always found Mythology so interesting, and you just brought it to life the best way you could with our old books and our journals we had to keep.
I remember one time during the fall semester before we could start class that you sat down with us kind of quiet, which wasn’t something you would normally do. I can’t remember the specific words you said, but it was something along the lines of, “Before we start class today, I just want you to know that I’m not trying to change your religion in any way. This was just the religion of our past people. This is what they believed in and in this class I’m just trying to educate you on those beliefs. I’m sorry if I offended anyone.”
I think we were all kind of shocked because who would take this class if they didn’t want to learn about other religions? Mythology to us is their religion to them. So perhaps maybe you think it would be a way of changing your religion, but it’s more opening your eyes to other beliefs out there, even way before modern civilization. So when you said sorry, there was nothing to be sorry for in my opinion, just like most everyone else’s’ opinion. You were doing your job, which was to teach.
But that’s not the point right now, Mrs. Talboom. The point of this letter is to appreciate how much of an ally you were to everyone during your many years of teaching. You always wanted students to speak their minds in an open, safe space. You wanted to hear from people of all backgrounds and read their myths that they would create. They were gay? Protected. They were pregnant at sixteen? That’s fine, you would help them if they needed medicine or advice. You were open with everyone that they wanted to come to you. They wanted to talk to you. And in my opinion, me and you having 50 mutual friends on Facebook says a lot about how much of an impact you had on students’ lives, doesn’t it?
Maybe you weren’t an ally that wasn’t walking down the streets, sending letters to the senate, or anything of that nature. I mean, you did have your foot totally wrecked for most of the spring semester, but you were an ally in the classroom and the school. People loved you. I loved having you as a teacher in my schedule. Part of the reason I wanted to become a teacher to be honest. I think making the little steps in the classroom makes bigger steps in the world, wouldn’t you agree?
I don’t know what you’re doing now, maybe having drum circles down at Scott’s Bottom or traveling to a bunch of different places. But what I do know is that a lot of students are missing out on having a great teacher in their playing field.
I hope everything is going great for you,
Saja
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