As the school year comes to a close, 12 women tell us about the teachers who made a difference

She was there for you when you need it most

She opened up new worlds for you

She believed in you — and then you believed in yourself

As the school year comes to a close, 12 women tell us about the teachers who made a difference

Squeeze Out a Smile

Tzipora Schiffer

It’s over 20 years since Mrs. Yaffa Adler was my biology teacher in Bais Yaakov of Toronto, but I’m still holding on to the yellow smiley super balls she gave me.

I was a staff kid, so even before I got to high school, I knew that Mrs. Adler was a beloved, loving teacher. But then I experienced it myself.

I wasn’t an easy student. I was loud. It was hard for me to sit, and I always needed to be heard. I was constantly popping up, interjecting comments that were relevant… or not.

One day, my disruptions were too much, and Mrs. Adler sent me out of class, in the most neutral, non-punishing way possible. I definitely deserved it, and both the class and I needed a break from each other. But it stung.

The next day, Mrs. Adler appeared at the door with this little yellow ball in her hand. “I know that I made you sad by sending you out yesterday, so here’s something to make you happy.”

After a little while I lost the ball, but its message wasn’t lost on me, so I asked Mrs. Adler for another one. She happily gave me one. When I found the original one, it just made the whole thing more special.

Mrs. Adler did what she needed to do in order for the classroom to be able to function. But she made sure to let me know that I still mattered. That it hurt her to hurt me.

From Mrs. Adler I learned firsthand the power of unconditional positive regard from an adult in a child’s life. As I look at these balls today, a lump forms in my throat, and I remember that I’m a beloved child of Hashem, deserving of love and respect — a cherished message I pass on to my children and clients today.