I want to talk about a memory I have with you, Mrs. Davis. You might not remember this but it’s stuck with me for so many years. It was 2007, my senior year, I was already accepted to college and frankly, I didn’t care much for English. I plagiarized a book report and you caught me. In 4 years, you were the only teacher that ever did and maybe it’s because you actually took the time to thoughtfully read and analyze every word on each of your students’ papers. I was embarrassed and in classic jewish mother fashion, you were not so upset but extremely disappointed in me. You wanted to suspend me but we managed to arrange a deal where I’d come into your classroom every day after school for 2 weeks and scrub gum from the bottom of the desks. This was right before we moved into the new building, and there was A LOT of gum. In the beginning, I remember begrudgingly going to your classroom after school. When the dust settled and we got talking, I couldn’t believe that somebody could be so passionate about the Language Arts but you flipped that paradigm upside down. “How could you not?” Our conversations started with basic discussions about classic books and why I should read them. They evolved into chatter about me going to college (at your alma mater – Go Gators!) and then again into lengthy philosophical discourses that went on and on. I would come back the next day eager to pick up where we left off. When I visited my grandma, I’d take walks around the block hoping that I’d run into you. These discussions transformed my outlook not only on reading and English but my outlook on life reminding me not to accept my very truths at face value. Those times became some of my most treasured high school memories. I am grateful for that. Every day, I strive to have the passion that you showed us in the classroom. Your commitment to your students is unparalleled and there will never be another one like you, Mrs. Davis! Thanks for being a source of joy and happiness. Thanks for birthing an amazing son who I’ve grown closer with over the years. Thanks for caring so much about us. Thanks for inspiring thousands of students. Most of all, thanks for being you. With so much love, Avi