Tribute to A Special Teacher

A little over a decade ago American Greetings ran an ad titled “World’s Toughest Job.” The commercial is set up as a job interview where a fake “director of operations” job is advertised, and prospective candidates are given an online interview. The interviewer describes the unrealistic expectations for the position (i.e. no salary for 130 hours a week plus of work) to the angst of the unknowing jobseekers. The commercial ends with the interviewer revealing that there is someone who already has this profession…moms! That sentiment pulls on the heartstrings of the interviewees who are reminded of the sacrifices of their own moms. Moms provide the necessities for their children without any expected compensation. Preparing their kin for life’s challenges and shaping them for success. In many ways the mom “trade” aligns with a certain paid career. This position serves as the “director of operations” in the classroom…teachers! It is well known that teachers are not the highest earners in society and in some instances their guidance is met with retort rather than thanks. However, these individuals help shape the lives of their students and start them on the path towards being productive members of society. Fortunately, for my siblings and I our mom, Patricia Boles, was both. After over twenty-five years of service my mom is retiring from teaching. Upon her retirement I cannot help but reflect on her career as a teacher, but also as a mom.

Patricia (Trish) Boles started her teaching career in Brooklyn, NY after a short stint in finance. Initially being new to the teaching field was a challenge. Guiding children with a wide variety of personalities while simultaneously creating a positive learning environment was not an easy task. Trish would describe the first few years of teaching as difficult, but she did not quit and made adjustment to improve year by year. She had found a career that best suited her love for children, and passion for learning. As Trish was beginning to teach, she was also in the inaugural stages of motherhood. Already with one child born (Conor) in 1992 she had a second child on the way in 1993 (Micaela). After Micaela was born Trish took a break from being a teacher to pivot into being a full-time Mom. The Mom position was met with another two children, Ceili in 1995 and Brendan in 1997. Four children in five years, again not a small endeavor, but it speaks to an unrelenting affection for children. Despite being away from the teaching profession for this decade Trish was still a teacher. She babysat similarly aged children in the neighborhood before and after school. Almost daily there were at least nine children in the Boles household. From potty-training to learning how to tie shoelaces we all experienced these things together. In many ways our house was akin to a classroom. Achieving milestones while building relationships and interacting together was trying at times, but we all benefited from these early friendships that are still held today. When the youngest child Brendan was entering kindergarten, the home always bustling with kids would be empty during the day. Subsequently, Trish entered her second stint as a teacher this time with a focus in special education.

Although there are similarities between being a primary education teacher and a special education teacher there are also distinct differences. Special education teachers have less students who require personalized instruction and support. Each student has an individual education plan created by their teacher to curtail their learning needs. Teachers of special education not only function to educate but work to improve the emotional and social development of their students. Despite the changes from primary to special education, Mrs. Boles pivoted perfectly. The parental skills of wearing multiple hats overlap with being a special education teacher. The lessons learned from the decade spent with her own four children as well as our friends and neighbors provided great insight into how to appease the needs of individual children. Each student that entered Trish Boles’ classroom became better by the time the year was up. The improvement was not always marked by a test score as is often the case in special education. The growth was exhibited in her pupil’s ability to interact with their classmates, parents, and friends. Their behavioral improvements in the classroom setting and at home. There have been countless examples of students who have recognized Mrs. Boles’ impact on their lives. One that comes to mind is a twenty plus year pen pal relationship with one of her first students in Brooklyn, Emily Chang, who exchanged letters with Trish throughout her educational/social milestones and eventually the birth of her own children. Mrs. Boles not only impacted on her students, but her abilities were also recognized by her peers, and she became head of the special education department in her school until her retirement. Achievements fit for a mom of four and a teacher of hundreds more.

Upon the retirement of Mrs. Boles, her teaching position will be filled. However, her legacy lives on with her daughter Ceili (Miss Boles). Ceili was so impacted by her mom’s abilities as both a parent and teacher to follow in her footsteps. Ceili shares in the selfless desire to educate and impact children. She is already carving out her own path to impact others and maybe have an “email” pal or two. As for Mrs. Boles, the teaching is not over. She now will apply similar lessons and guidance to her grandkids who will undoubtably be better as a result. The American Greetings commercial describes the job of being a mom as the most important job. However, teachers may be the second. We remember the names of our teachers and recall the memories of how they impacted our lives. Fortunately for us we had one 24/7…Thanks Mom

-CB