To the Woman Who Smoothed Our Kindergarten Feathers

Punchy, above, with Ms. Mary Paolazzi tonight at the Weston Awards ceremony. Ms. Paolazzi was her kindergarten teacher last year at Nishuane School.

Josh and Judy Weston have been recognizing outstanding teachers in Montclair since the 1990s. [I believe Mrs. Weston said tonight that at one point, their four children were in four different schools in town.] Parents nominate their favorite teachers and then winners are chosen for each school in the district. 

Ms. Paolazzi won one for Nishuane! Punchy, H. and I were so thrilled. H. and I both wrote nomination letters. 

Ms. Paolazzi won? Can we go to the ceremony? When is it? Does she know? Where is the ceremony? How long is the ride? Punchy asked. I love Ms. Paolazzi so much. She sipped the punch and nibbled the cheese and cheered for her idol.

This radiant lady made such an impact on our lives and hearts--on our faith in humankind. She reached a little girl who was 6 1/2 and had never been in a classroom--and not because she was being home-schooled. The little girl had learned some tough life lessons in the world at large, and she gave the sunny teacher a run for her money. 

But every day, the teacher stood tall and the child carried her small self with pride. She loved school! Her teacher was her role model. The short one adored chit chatting with her whenever they had a minute--about her two sons, her outfits [teacher and student both had cheetah sweaters], her life. 

Other teachers might have judged, or turned away. They may have been cold or uninterested. Or rightfully angry or frustrated, because Punchy was quite disruptive. But this teacher--she had a golden heart. She instilled a love of learning in someone and got her up to speed on ABCs, writing her name and raising her hand.

It was a rough and bumpy road in many ways. H. and I were grateful every day for that fair-haired teacher. We took a giant leap of faith when we took Punchy under our wing but it's Ms. Paolazzi and her team who truly softened that baby bird's landing and smoothed her rumpled feathers when she found herself out of the nest and looking for love and security in a flock of other good birds who already knew how to fly.

Here's to you, magical Mary Paolazzi!!!! Roses, roses and a thousand thank yous. Sunbeams, rainbows and a giant hug from a mighty girl who will always hold you in her heart of hearts.