Friday, February 24, 2017
My condolences to Mona and the rest of the family of Mrs. Sternstein (as I knew her). I want them to know how I felt about her as a teacher and person. I wish I could have met up with her in my adult life to tell her what an important part she played in my formative teen years. I was a student her English 11 class in 1970. I was never found of English because reading, writing, grammar and spelling were my worst subjects (and so I was told by many teachers). I was more of a math/science geek. I think she could read people and knew I lacked the skills to excel in her class, but she didn’t treat me any different than any other student. She would praise when she could and not belittle my weakness and difficulties in the subject. She was motherly (to all) and made me feel comfortable in her class. That made me want to please her and do my best (like a good son). She told me privately that she was concerned that I may fail the dreaded Regents exam. I assured her I would do my best and knew ways around those tests to maximize my score (like skipping all the spelling and grammar questions). She taught me that I could use Movies as a source of reference for the Part II questions (invaluable). I got a healthy passing grade and was proud to have shown my school Mom I could do It! We had to do presentations in front of the class (also anxiety provoking). I can still see her in my mind’s eye listening intently to my odd presentation on demonology (a passing phase). She was always calm and in control without being threating, her high waisted skirt with a Kleenex neatly tucked in the waistband.
Her obituary was a tiny insight into the life of “Barbara Rose”. In 1970, I didn’t know details about her life outside of high school. Reading her story makes me appreciate the work she did as a TEACHER even more. Rest in peace Barbara Rose Sternstein, and thanks for the fond memories.
