Flashback Friday: Teacher Appreciation

Mocha With Linda reminds us that this is Teacher Appreciation Week and asks us to look back at all the good memories, reflect on the positive influence they had in our lives, and maybe even go back and say thank you.
Here is Prompt # 8:

Tell us about the teachers from your school days. Who were your favorites? Why did you like them? How did they influence your life, your occupation, or another aspect? Have you ever gone back, seen or contacted a favorite teacher to express your appreciation? Do you still keep up with any of your teachers? Was Teacher Appreciation Day/Week celebrated when you were in school?

I am going to begin by responding to the last question.

In Argentina we celebrated Día del Maestro on September 11 to honor Domingo Faustino Sarmiento whose major influence in the area of education earned him the title of  "The Teacher" of Latin America. His involvements and achievements were many, and he was also Argentina's seventh president.
So, on the anniversary of his death we remembered him with speeches and songs. I can still sing the Hymn to  Sarmiento. The funny thing is that I do not remember doing anything special for our teachers. Has it been too long? Is it a failing memory issue?

After last year's Teachers' Day, a childhood friend mentioned that he had sent flowers to our favorite teacher, and also called her. Now in her eighties, she still remembered and mentioned me, "la rubiecita tan callada y buena alumna"--the little blondie so quiet and such a good student.
When I told my brother, he agreed that Srta. Dina, our 6th grade teacher was his favorite as well. However, I am at a loss to describe the qualities or characteristics that made her 'the best'. I do have one treasured photo where I am standing next to her, and my brother is next the the principal.

 

I have wanted to write to Srta. Dina ever since I heard about my friend's kind gesture. So, today, thanks to Linda's prompting, I made a copy of the photo and as soon as I have finished writing this post, I am going to find or make an appropriate card para escribirle unas líneas a mi maestra favorita.

P.S.: My brother who has a keen perceptive memory has this to say about our favorite teacher:

I´m not sure, but if I had to hazard a guess, there were at least three things. 1)  I don´t remember her having any one preferred student, she cared about us all,  2) She knew her subject matter, and 3) She kept order in the classroom.  All of these things added up to a sense of safety in the classroom that I did not seem to have other years.