I wanted to tell you about my daughter's fourth grade (last year) teacher at Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco. His name is Matthew Spowart.

His classroom is a place of wonder, where a model of the earth hangs suspended in mid air. My daughter has a learning issue and fourth grade was the first time she understood anything being talked about in class. If he saw her struggling with the math homework on his way out at the end of the day, he, on more than one occasion, would sit down with her and get her on the right path. He taught her that often it's the things we have to work hardest for that are most worth fighting for. Over the learning specialist's and my initial objections, he gave her timed tests, allotting her about the same amount of time it had taken her to finish the practice test he let her take the night before. It was a kind of game we played. She would take the practice test, and I emailed him how long it took her.

His reasoning was that it was important for her to get accustomed to the pressure of tests. Matt also encourages kids to focus around and follow up on their own passions. One kid in the class wrote a little newspaper because his dad was a printer and he was interested in journalism. My daughter became passionate about the plight of circus elephants, and he encouraged her to circulate a petition. This year, the lunch recess schedule was changed and, sure enough, a petition emerged from his fourth grade class. He plays Bob Marley and the Beatles at the ends of the day as the kids clean up. He loves his students.

When the bell rings at the end of the day, Mr. Spowart can be seen surrounded by his students, talking. If there's a game involving the Red Sox, his favorite team, students that he had last year, or the year before come into his classroom to make predictions about who will win, etc. For Matthew Spowart, teaching is truly an art. As an outsider, I love to watch him "do his thing." On a school trip, I saw a second grader ask him why he was there, on a trip outside of school. She was clearly confused. Without belittling her in any way, he explained that he was there to help. Then he asked her why she was there, a question she had never considered before. Pretty soon he got her talking about her likes and dislikes and they were fast friends. He cares little for pretense of any kind and is fully accepting of his own idiosyncrasies and imperfections. Because of this, his students are comfortable revealing their less perfect selves. As far as our family is concerned, Mr. Spowart is a rock star. I only wish that he had been my fourth grade teacher!



I am writing to tell you about our Science teacher Ms. Jean Dickman, She is a Middle School Science teacher.

My son has ADHD. The school is very aware of this. My son has been a straight A student from 1st to 6th grade. Once he was in 7th Grade he was going through a transition period of going to a different school.

I was called to school at least 3-4 times a week every week for the entire "7th Grade" year. Trying to explain and prove to teachers that he was a smart boy and had to be challenged was impossible. They would look at me as if I was making all this up about my son. Imagine. He started failing all his classes!! …except for "Science"

Ms. Dickman kindly acknowledge that Russell was ADHD and assured me that she had worked with kids like this in the past and that it was perfectly fine.

She always believed in Russell and kept him challenged. It constantly stimulated his mind and his self-esteem. No other teacher had the patience or the belief that this was all something we all needed to work with.

To make things even clearer- Ms. Dickman never gave up on Russell. She gave him projects like "designing website for the younger grades" he felt so good.

He is graduating this year from 8th grade and from the same school. This entire year he has been on the Principal's Honor Roll averaging 95 each report card!!! I knew he could do it and it was just a tough year for him, He literally spent more time in the dean's office then he did in his classes!

Ms. Dickman is 8th grade Science teacher and stills challenges him everyday. We need teachers like this and I just want to say we need to really appreciate them when we finally do get one!!

Ms. Jean Dickman teaches at the PS/IS 266 district 26 Glen Oaks Queens, NY.

Sincerely,
Caroline Loo-Lew
Mother to Russell Loo-Pangilinan



I would like to nominate my son's Special Education teacher, Ms. Colburn. Colleen Colburn teaches at the Marshall Middle school in Billerica, MA. She goes above and beyond for her students.

My son Paul is dyslexic and has OCD. Learning comes extremely hard for him, especially, reading, writing and math. Paul's strong areas are projects. Anything where he can display his artistic ability.

Ms. Colburn understands her kids disabilities and special needs. One of Paul's favorite lessons in her classroom is Bouncing Ball Math. He explained it to me that Ms. Colburn has a math question. She throws out the ball, if you don't know the answer, you can pass the ball. She does not make anyone feel bad about not knowing the answer however, by making learning fun; my son has learned more in her class than with any other teacher.

She is always encouraging the students with a positive attitude. Ms. Colburn makes them feel "Special" not "Special Ed". She loves them and always has a "you can do it" attitude.

Therefore - I feel she is deserving of every appreciation!

Donna Ballota
Billerica, MA