I dreaded Global Studies and anything related to history. I used to copy homework out of textbooks and either pass with flying colors because teachers didn't actually read what I wrote or I failed class because teachers saw through me and didn't care enough to help me understand what I was reading. That is, until I had Mr. Franzese.
I still remember him standing on the teacher's table to enact the crowning of Charlemagne, which, perhaps, is one of my only history-related facts I still remember from the classroom. He made history exciting by giving it life. His energy was contagious and I looked forward to class. This had never happened to me before.
When it was time to take the history regent at the end of the school year, which I dreaded from day one, Mr. Franzese stayed with me after school, day after day, to tutor me because he knew how scared I was of failing the exam. We would go over questions until I got them right, which I could tell wasn't an easy task for him to do, especially when I would constantly get them wrong. He was patient and caring. When he called my house, weeks after the exam, to tell me the good news – I passed with an 84%! – I almost cried. I could not have done that without him. We earned that grade together. Thank you, Mr. Franzese, for caring so much about what you do and who you teach. You are an inspiration to many.
-Carly Einstein
Midwood High School Class of 1998