Three Years to Make a Difference

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It was May when I got to meet (by reputation) one of the scariest teachers of my school.   I had just about finished my 6th grade year with Ms. Kessler.  One of the teachers who tried to push me just a little harder.  She got me to write my first poem.  (I had written an essay, but she showed me that it was written in perfect iambic pentameter.) And, a term paper about the USSR (83 pages written in very tiny letters)…And, now I was “requested” to appear in Miss Katzman’s office after lunch.

Sue Katman Finkelstein

Miss Katzman (whose real name is Sue Finkelstein; this was her nom de plume at school) informed me that she was to be my teacher for English and Social Studies (both) for the next three years.  And, that my habit of doing (not) enough to get by was over.  It was clear I could perform and she would hear no excuses to the contrary.

She wanted to know what I expected from this yeshiva.  When I told her, she didn’t laugh.  She just said my performance would never provide that.  But, if I actually worked hard, she was positive that I would earn that honor.  My response was that this system was rigged and it would never happen.  She promised it would.

So, for the next three years, I worked hard.  I was kept busy.  (That was among the biggest of problems… I was bored.)  I wrote many papers, including a thesis on the (then) only father and son in the White House.  I learned a lot- in her classes and every other one.

It’s when I began my process of taking notes in class by writing down the first word and a key word in every sentence.  And, then going home to rewrite my notes (with two fountain pens; one red and one black) every night.  (Until I obtained my typewriter, which then was used in lieu of my pens.)

Ms. Katzman and I had many discussions.  About colleges.  About my research (which included by then my hydroponic science fair submission and other ‘crazy’ concepts), my idea about going to college (early, since I planned to spend many years in post-graduate education), my volunteering to help register folks to vote and for other (then radical) activities.

When it was my last few months under her mentorship, she presented me with a present.  An I.D. bracelet.  To remember her in the future.  (OK.  I am dating myself.  These were the tokens presented to the opposite sex as a demonstration of the bond that endures.  At least that is the way it worked for yeshiva “bochurs”.)

Her interest, her coaching, her helping me work out my goals clearly set me on the proper educational path for my life. And, for that I think of Ms. Katzman often.

(Oh.  She quit teaching at the yeshiva after I graduated.  She earned her graduate degrees from Georgetown.  But, I never saw her again.  But, I knew then that the school system was rigged.)

And, that’s the other thing Ms. Katzman instilled in me.  To fight for those who get overlooked in spite of their actions, their abilities, and their rights.  Because she did it for me- and I know what it feels like to have something yanked away that you deserve.

 

This is the week of thanks.   I am honoring my mentors.

The mentors I have known.

Sol Kuchlik- quiz and tell

Sue Katzman- My ID partner

Cary Rollner- A big brother of sorts

Arthur Lipper- The 3rd is the charm!

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