An Ode To My Favorite Teacher

Thank you for showing me that being yourself is worth its weight in gold

By: Shenali DeSilva

Sometimes, we are lucky enough to meet people who are the embodiment of sunshine. If you’re extra lucky, they get to be your third grade teacher. Over a decade ago, I was Mrs. Schafer’s student, and to this day, I can’t help but grin when I think about her. There was nobody like her, and that’s what people admired about her the most. Her laugh echoed through the hall, making second graders excitedly await the day when they would be her students. Past students beamed with pride when they saw her, almost as if to say, “Look at me! I’m all grown up now!”

One of my most prominent memories was how she’d circle the blacktop during recess, even on chilly days. Students adored her so much that some would follow behind her, much like ducklings following their mother. Once her nose turned bright red from the Minnesota chill and the ducklings struggled to keep up, it was a sign that recess was over. Even then, we were giddy with anticipation for storytime. One of Mrs. Schafer’s favorite books was “Sideways Stories from Wayside School” by Louis Sachar. She’d pour her heart into voicing the characters, almost as if directing a film. Storytime, and, frankly, every activity she did with us was so much more enjoyable because she had just as much fun as we did. 

Mrs. Schafer was not only an excellent teacher but also an excellent person. She believed in our talents and reminded us how loved we were. Regardless of who we were, she found a way to make her class feel like a family. Even as a college student, there isn’t a price I wouldn’t pay to be back in her class, listening to her read us another story.