What makes Miriam such a phenomenal teacher? First and foremost, at the top of the list, the thing above all else that I hope every teacher practices, embodies and believes – she has an absolute commitment to being non-judgemental. And she is this way with everyone, students, parents, and peers alike. This commitment is what allows Miriam to approach each child exclusively from the point of view of “needs being met” and work with them where they are at, not where others think they should be. This approach allows each child to thrive at their own pace and feel the success of their growth from one day to the next. It is also a model from which students and other teachers alike are influenced, leading to greater openness and a strong classroom community. More than anything else this one trait plays a large part in creating the warm, supportive and compassionate atmosphere that enriches each year’s classroom.
A further result of this commitment is the absolute trust that Miriam builds with each of her students individually and as a group. This trust is built, of course, through Miriam’s warmth and non-judgemental, supportive nature. Equally important, it grows from the trust Miriam gives back. This is a unique gift – Miriam trusts her students, trusts that they want to engage and to learn and that they will achieve great things if given the opportunity. I’ve heard some refer to this idea as setting high expectations but that, to me, would imply judgement. Trust is definitely the word when applied to Miriam. And it is through this trust that Miriam can genuinely follow her students’ interests with such diligence, compassion and respect.
Watching Miriam teach, you begin to understand that her classroom is more than a place of learning — it’s a community built on trust, respect, and care. Her students learn not only content, but confidence; not only skills, but empathy. In a world that often measures success by outcomes, Miriam reminds us that growth begins with understanding, and understanding begins with trust.
