Beth Tefiloh
Moving
Schools and People: My Favorite Teacher, Mrs. Cohen
by Moshe Lewin
My favorite teacher, Mrs. (Megan) Cohen of
Beth Tfiloh (BT) Middle School, demonstrates values of hard work, positivity,
and love for teaching. After meeting her last September (2023), I knew she
would leave a lasting impression on me, from her hard work, dedication, and
love for teaching. Mrs. Cohen would work with us as a class and conference with
each individual to spark their academic potential. Additionally, Mrs. Cohen
would always have her door open for any questions or pieces of news to share.
Many students, including me, felt happy to hear Mrs. Cohen’s advice both in and
out of class. Mrs. Cohen’s presence elevated the BT atmosphere through
teaching, field trips, and even Rosh Chodesh brunches. Our principal, Dr. Schor,
even mentioned how Mrs. Cohen’s genuine smile during the interview process
helped her win the job. Additionally, her class benefited from valuable advice
relating to high school and important future endeavors we will embark on. From
discussing Animal Farm parallels to
the 2016 election to playing her in an end-of-year Scrabble game, I thoroughly
enjoyed having Mrs. Cohen as a teacher.
* * *
Bnos Yisroel of
Baltimore
Compiled by Debbie Glazer
True Care
by Adina Zussman, 9th grade
Eighth grade was a hard year for me. I
struggled a lot with the class dynamics, and school was just hard. Although my
experience that year was very difficult, I was able to get through and become a
better person because I had so much support. My principal really helped me, and
I talked to many other amazing people, too. Although all of these people helped
me so much, they were never in the classroom with me and couldn't see exactly
what I was going through.
My teacher that
year had a very different teaching style than any other teacher I’d had before.
She was a very creative person. The walls in our classroom were covered in
bright posters, we had fun parties, and she had many exciting incentives for
us. One time, we had a spontaneous secret admirer activity, complete with a
surprise pizza party!
Although this
teacher taught me so much, and was really fun, the most important thing for me
was that she cared and loved every single one of her students. In the beginning
of the year, I told her that I was struggling. Right away she helped connect me
with people to talk with who really helped me. Once I saw how much my teacher
cared about me, I felt more comfortable approaching her, and we ended up having
many conversations about how I was doing or just shmoozing.
My eighth-grade
year was a really hard one, but my teacher really built me up as a person and
encouraged me to always grow.
*
* *
Learning
to Love English
by Chaya Gitty Saull, 9th grade
Looking back at my middle school years, I
realized that my teachers were truly amazing. There was one in particular who
taught me a lot. As much as I despised English, it was my eighth grade teacher
who changed my view of it.
I remember in the
beginning of the year, when I didn’t feel an inspiration to write, my teacher
would encouraged me and continuously gave me tips on how to make my writing
better. Throughout eighth grade, she taught me to keep on trying and never give
up. Whenever we learned new vocabulary words, my teacher would tell us to look
out for them while reading, and when our class as a whole got a certain number
of vocabulary words, she would make us her delicious kugel!
Now when I hear
that we are having an English assignment, I don't think about how hard it will
be. I think about the enjoyable and satisfying parts of writing. Although my
teacher may not know it, she made me enjoy English more than I could ever
imagine!
*
* *
Everlasting
Influence
by Reyna Menda, 10th grade
To be able to teach is only one skill of
an educator; to enjoy what they do is another. And to love their students is a
true gift. Ultimately, the influence of a loving teacher is immeasurable and
everlasting. Undoubtedly, they make the greatest of all impressions in our
life. Good teachers make a difference from the moment they introduce themselves
on the first day of school until the bittersweet parting of summer. Good
teachers make a difference from when they enter the classroom and even more so
when they leave it. They bring with them an atmosphere of warmth and wonder –
an aura that makes learning from them a privilege.
° ° °
You stood in the
doorway; the classroom fell silent as we all rose with respect. We were ready.
Ready to learn. We groaned as the day’s assignments were passed out. Trust me
when I say it was all a facade. You knew it when we wouldn't move from our
seats when the bell rang outside. In every paper and in every word, we felt
your love – even when you reminded us to quiet down. We felt your affection
from your warm hellos, and you made us feel valued from a sticker on an
above-eighty test.
You made dull
subjects and stories into a form of captivating awe. With you, it wasn't just
the facts, it was how we could apply them to our lives. But the impact of the
day’s lesson was far beyond the 45-minute period; you taught us skills,
strategies, strengths, and standards, even the secrets of success. In other
words, you truly made a difference, one that makes an influence farther than
any teacher can fathom. After all, the best educators teach from the heart, not
the book. That, surely, made the greatest impact of all.
*
* *
Teaching
with Passion
by Brachie Rhine, 11th grade
She walks into the classroom. Words fail
to describe the love she yearns to pass on, her desire to connect with each of
her students in a really real way. She talks but in a quiet voice, yet it
echoes across the silent room as we all drink in thirstily the words she has to
share with her precious talmidos. The
Torah she teaches us is the most important part of our life. She yearns to pass
on our Torah to the next generation of girls – us – reminding us every single
day that we are the next link in the chain.
She begins to
speak in a barely audible whisper, then louder and louder until her passion
takes over, and all she does is fight for the Torah way of life. We disagree,
argue, and contemplate hashkafa
together, and she guides us with pure direction to a life full of truth,
complete with love of Torah. It’s a path so true that living with the Torah is
like walking in the light, as she constantly reminds us. And after our class
with her is over, she still stands there. She steps up to the plate – takes
time from her break to listen, teach, and remind the next generation of what
our true purpose really is. She is a teacher who fills the role that goes
beyond the classroom.
*
* *
Making a
Difference in My Life
by Muky Kochman, 11th grade
My favorite teacher taught me for fourth
and fifth grade. I was in a small class of five. I was having a hard time in
some subjects so she helped me, and I feel gratitude to her because I know she
is the one who taught me the basics in learning. Her caring and loving
personality made me feel that I was in a safe atmosphere, even though I was
having a hard time with schoolwork and the school environment. I knew this
teacher really cared for the success of her students. Her class was fun and
enjoyable even though she was strict.
One event I
remember was when a student got the hiccups. The teacher told her to get a
drink. As she walked to the door, the teacher slammed something on the desk to
scare the hiccups away. We all jumped, then realized, then laughed, and poof,
the hiccups were gone. We would go on very educational trips, such as the
Hudson River. On the last day of school, we gave our teacher presents showing
our gratitude for the amazing year: a ladybug-painted plate, letters, a poem,
and a class picture.
The next year we
were surprised to see her teaching us again! She helped me for some time,
taking time after school, showing her generosity. This helped me understand the
material more thoroughly. When Covid hit, I saw her in seventh grade. I told
her I was moving away. She said that if I ever needed help to just email her. I
will never forget what she did for me. I’m glad there are teachers like her in
this world who can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
*
* *
Expectations
by Shaindy Singal, 11th grade
Some teachers expect me to try hard,
others expect me to do well, and some just expect me to be a bas Yisrael. I try to live up to all my
teachers’ expectations.
My teachers who
expect me to act in a way that portrays who I am, a bas Yisrael, have the biggest impact on me.
It is those
teachers whom I run to greet when I see them in the hallways.
It is those
teachers whom I see as my role models.
It is those
teachers whom I want to make proud.
The expectations I
meet by trying hard fill me with pride.
The expectations I
meet by doing well generate a sense of accomplishment.
The expectations I
meet by acting like a bas Yisrael
make me proud of who I am.
*
* *
Living
What We Learn
by Devorah Berlin, 12th grade
Most teachers give a lesson by lecturing.
They color their ideas with insightful Chazals
and inspiring stories. But one of my teachers does more. She lives what she teaches us. She doesn’t
have to tell us the importance of seeing the good in everyone. We feel her
genuine respect and love for us. We might not believe in ourselves, but she
believes in every student.
She doesn’t talk
much about chashivus haTorah, but her
eyes sparkle and her voice rises passionately in every Navi class. “The Torah
is our life!” she always tells us. “Everything in it still applies today!”
Every week we
share hashgacha pratis stories that
happened recently, and then we sing together. It’s more effective than a
thousand classes on emunah. The
stories train our brains to see Hashem, and the singing reaches a deeper part
of our neshamah than any lesson
could.
My teacher has
taught me that knowing what’s right and how to serve Hashem is not enough. I
have to live what I learn and make it
a part of my daily life!
