Mr. Berman was my sixth grade teacher at Roosevelt elementary in Mesa, AZ 47 years ago! I had never forgotten him, and I so wanted to reconnect with him all of these years later to thank him for all he had done for me that year. I had thought about this for many years. That was a very difficult year for me and he was my hero. I never really thought I’d find him! 

I was working in an elementary school myself a few years ago as a preschool assistant, and I found out (after I had know her for 2 years or so?) that the mother of one of my students, her father was my Mr. Berman! This was the amazing Michelle, and Miles was in my class! She quickly set up a family get together, and I was blessed to be able to give him a huge hug and talk to him, and to finally tell him what he meant to me. He hadn’t forgotten me! I reminded him that he had told me to always keep my beautiful smile that 6th grade year, (the little girl with crooked teeth and no confidence) and that I had not only a teacher who had my back, but a friend. He always told me to be proud of myself, and that I was a winner no matter what happened in my life. I kept all of his sweet notes,  and have looked at them many times over the years. I am so grateful that he was a part of my life, even so long ago, because that’s when I needed him the most. He was loved, and will be so missed. 

Laura (Pitt) Ingram