My daughter's teacher passed away suddenly 4 weeks ago and I've spent the last 4 weeks in the classroom helping as much as I can- helping to figure out where things are, making copies, gathering homework, helping with the kids--sometimes helping just by being there. It's been eye-opening for sure. Our teacher, Ms. Slaght, just had a way with the kids and I've learned so much more about her in her passing than I knew about her living. (a lesson I'm not taking lightly) I have worked in the classroom all year--so I knew a little about its day to day routine, but always wondered about some things: Ms. Slaght's ability to speak fluent spanish to the lone spanish speaking student or the mentally challenged kid that comes in daily to the class ("Do all classes have a special needs kid or just Ms. Slaght?" I asked of the helper--and her reply--"I don't know, but I do know that Ms. Slaght stepped up.") I am grateful for the time Taylor had with Mary. She grew so much this year. And I am grateful for the time I had with Mary. I know that unlike this year, where she was learning to read, next year, Taylor will read to learn and that she will need work with her math skills over the summer to prepare for third grade. I loved that I felt like Taylor was special to Mary, but then again, I get the feeling that all of her kids were special to her. She was an extraordinary teacher, so extraordinary in fact that she was Teacher of the Year last year. How lucky we were to have had her in our lives.
This morning, our Brownie troop dedicated a tree donated by Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano, in memory of Ms. Mary Slaght to our school.
"In the words of Karen Joy Fowler--'Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us come.'
The members of Brownie troop 1741 respectfully donate this memorial tree that stands before you in memory of Ms. Mary Slaght.
Let this living memorial serve as a longstanding remembrance of our teacher and our friend and serve as welcome comfort as well as a celebration of the cycle of life. Let this tree stand as a symbol of Ms Slaght's legacy in our school community--and carry on her gifts to her students in the form of protection, shade and beauty. Ms. Slaght had an impact on every student she touched."
"Let our tree grow wide and tall so that it may touch the floor of heaven so she may look down and know that she is not forgotten."
