I want to thank a teacher I had in JHS 141 Queens during 1977- 1979. This teacher, Ms. Zappelli, was a General Science teacher and she has probably retired long ago.
When I was a student at JHS 141, I was fortunate to have Ms. Zappelli as a science teacher. She told us great stories to illustrate scientific principles. I still remember how she explained the difference between opaque, translucent, and transparent with her story about Marvin taking a shower and the type of glass on the bathroom window.
This teacher had a rare gift of the perfect combination of humor, knowledge, patience, and subject knowledge. Years later when I had decided to follow in her footsteps and become a science teacher, I needed to take the National Teacher Exam. The essay question asked to describe the teacher that had the most influence in my life. Of course I chose Ms. Zappelli. Later that day I called a friend who had also taken the exam to compare notes. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she had also chosen this woman .
I don't know if I will ever have such a positive effect on any of my students. However, I hope that my students will be lucky enough to have their own Ms. Zappelli one day.
-Jean Hourihane
Former Student