Patty Greenwich was a 5th grade teacher at OLS for many years in the late 70s and early 80s. Memories of OLS are still vivid, as she shares here in this heartfelt note to her OLS students.
After receiving the last few Lancers Foundation emails, I felt compelled to share the profound impact you, my students, had on my life. I fondly remember each child I taught at OLS and the lessons of perseverance, friendship, and kindness I learned from my students remain with me today. I vividly remember working with a student every day after school as he struggled to master long division. I assured him that he would eventually get it. The highlight was when that same boy, then in sixth grade, ran down to my basement classroom shouting, “Mrs. Greenwich, I can do it!”
That experience shaped me as both a teacher and a mother. Whenever my own children struggled with reading or math, I reminded them not to worry — that understanding is developmental and would come in time. I often think of another student with dyslexia who never gave up; though he initially reversed fractions, he always found the right answer when given the time he needed.
Each morning, as I opened the basement doors for the 5th and 8th graders, I was greeted by their enthusiastic smiles. I realized then that children cannot learn unless they are met by a teacher who is happy to be there. Those children never knew my husband was dying of cancer, but when I stood in front of them, I was able to find peace as well. Every day, those students made me laugh, and every day, they truly saved my life.
Of course, the teachers were all good friends. We even vacationed together. Eileen Bosch always made fun of us because we tried to eat so healthy. She would run out to a convenience store and buy cookies, Twizzlers, and chocolates. I always ate the Twizzlers.
I could go on and on with these stories. But I just wanted to let all of you know you are in my heart forever.
With love,
Patricia Greenwich Wolff