Going from sixth to seventh grade was a huge deal at Graded. You went from the security of a single homeroom teacher, who taught everything, to a series of brand-new teachers, one for each subject. That first day was intimidating as hell, but I was lucky enough to have Bev Arnstein as my seventh grade English teacher. She almost single-handedly helped turn Junior High into a happy surprise.
She ran a tight class, and was every bit as vigilant as the photos of her suggest. But far more than mere discipline, what Mrs. Arnstein doled out was an individual caring for each student. She had a gift for knowing what you needed to hear, simultaneously supporting you and challenging you. It didn't come from her job; it came from the person herself. In my case, she gave me the freedom to invent my own fictional newspaper to share with the class -- the first step of what turned out to be for me a lifelong adventure in creating community through the public word.
In senior year, Bev Arnstein signed my yearbook at graduation. Aside from the usual good wishes for the future, she wrote that she'd been proud to watch me for the past five years, and lovingly listed each one of my accomplishments. It may have been that she had a special place in her heart for students who were (like her own children) growing up American with long-term Brazilian roots. Whatever the reason, she had taught me English only in seventh grade, but let me know that I had forevermore remained more than just her student.
An amazing woman! When I was in maybe 5th grade she sat me down to talk about my reading habits: I thought I read too much: She let me know, in no uncertain terms, that you could NEVER read too much. It was at her house that I drank my first egg-nog with rum - her Christmas open houses were always crammed with people and good feelings. She had a hell of a laugh and her presence somehoworother meant things were about to get interesting!
In life, most of us can remember one special teacher who took the time to make us feel special. Mrs. Arnstein had of way of teaching that I could really grasp on to where other teachers had failed. I credit her with my success in college- the skills she taught me gave me the confidence and determination to succeed. I too am a teacher and I know the dedication she put into her profession. Mrs. Arnstein was a classy lady and a gifted teacher. My condolences to her family, I will never forget her. Mary Lulek-Ottarson
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Dan Waters (1973)
Going from sixth to seventh grade was a huge deal at Graded. You went from the security of a single homeroom teacher, who taught everything, to a series of brand-new teachers, one for each subject. That first day was intimidating as hell, but I was lucky enough to have Bev Arnstein as my seventh grade English teacher. She almost single-handedly helped turn Junior High into a happy surprise.She ran a tight class, and was every bit as vigilant as the photos of her suggest. But far more than mere discipline, what Mrs. Arnstein doled out was an individual caring for each student. She had a gift for knowing what you needed to hear, simultaneously supporting you and challenging you. It didn't come from her job; it came from the person herself. In my case, she gave me the freedom to invent my own fictional newspaper to share with the class -- the first step of what turned out to be for me a lifelong adventure in creating community through the public word.
In senior year, Bev Arnstein signed my yearbook at graduation. Aside from the usual good wishes for the future, she wrote that she'd been proud to watch me for the past five years, and lovingly listed each one of my accomplishments. It may have been that she had a special place in her heart for students who were (like her own children) growing up American with long-term Brazilian roots. Whatever the reason, she had taught me English only in seventh grade, but let me know that I had forevermore remained more than just her student.
Thank you, Mrs. Arnstein, for everything.
Bruce Kanarek (1972)
An amazing woman! When I was in maybe 5th grade she sat me down to talk about my reading habits: I thought I read too much: She let me know, in no uncertain terms, that you could NEVER read too much. It was at her house that I drank my first egg-nog with rum - her Christmas open houses were always crammed with people and good feelings. She had a hell of a laugh and her presence somehoworother meant things were about to get interesting!Mary Lulek (Ottarson) (1976)
In life, most of us can remember one special teacher who took the time to make us feel special. Mrs. Arnstein had of way of teaching that I could really grasp on to where other teachers had failed. I credit her with my success in college- the skills she taught me gave me the confidence and determination to succeed. I too am a teacher and I know the dedication she put into her profession. Mrs. Arnstein was a classy lady and a gifted teacher. My condolences to her family, I will never forget her. Mary Lulek-Ottarson