As Amos fell off his chair, a huge bang echoed throughout the room. Mr. Gagliardi, who was writing on the blackboard in the front of the classroom, whirled around as if it was the figure skating championships.
“Amos did you perhaps sit on too much butter this morning?” Everybody’s laughter made it seem like some sort performance.
When the class finally settled down what felt like five hours later, Mr. Gagliardi went back to his work. He stood tall but not close to overpowering. His short black hair stood on an edge and danced. The black sweatshirt shone responding to the light. Usually when you see someone tall and muscular, you’d be thinking to run off shouting “Mommy!” But no, it’s not the case with this amazing teacher.
Hey, now you’re wondering, a favourite teacher is very much different from a role model. I’ll tell you why I chose him: 1) He is kind. 2) It’s never frustration or anger that comes at you when something is done wrong. 3) And last but not least, his attitude. You should know that he is very welcoming. If you are thinking that I’m the only one who appreciates him, then you are very wrong! He is such an attraction at the school. I think no one can just walk past him without saying hi.
“I think what I try to do is to use humor and be funny. I’m not afraid to act silly. And the other thing I try to do is to listen to what other people have to say. I like to give everybody a fair chance to share their thinking, to express their thing and put forth their ideas,” he said during an interview with me recently.
Mr. Gagliardi is now on his fourth year at Edenrose so we both came to the school during the same school year. I wanted him to be my classroom teacher since grade one. Why? Because he is the best teacher in the world!
