The feeling of the freedom I had in her class was invigorating. She didn’t treat me as someone lower than her in anyway. I always felt like we were on the same level, even though it was evident she was much wiser than me.
I stayed to have conversations with her many times after the bell had rung for lunch. I didn’t want to leave. The connection we had was far greater than food. She amazed me with her knowledge. We didn’t only talk about school, but also about life.
In conversations with her, it became clear how every subject we discuss affected the real world. Many times, I have felt what I’m learning is only good within this school system. But when we had discussion in Mrs. Passler’s class, they reached my outside life and school life and seemed to break down invisible barriers. Mrs. Passler is easily the best teacher I’ve ever had and deserves this award for going beyond the structured norms educators traditionally following.