Miss. Marylin Berry

In spite of 45 years of teaching K-12, the practice of grading an ocean of papers, setting up lesson plans for the week, checking and rechecking on over twenty-six different students' progress in her homeroom the night before was something Marylin Barry never quite got used to doing in a timely manner, even after numerous years of teaching. Time always seemed to get away from her, one minute it was six o’clock the next twelve-thirty, if not later.

The day was filled with meetings with faculty members and stress-filled parents. Oddly enough, she looked forward to it. Marylin was proud of all her kids, even those who caused her grief.

As part of her morning ritual, Marylin ate two fried eggs and a piece of toast. While it is technically only four hours until lunch, Marylin prefered to spend her lunch assisting students rather than eating and collaborating with coworkers. If needed, she could always have a granola bar or something that didn't need to be stored in a refrigerator.

An occasional colleague or friend would treat Marylin to takeout. Often, she forgot about the meal sitting on her desk as she spoke with students on how she could assist them better.

Learning is a very personal thing for each child, Marylin believed.

There were a few who needed more attention than others.

There were those who craved attention and would act out.

There were those in the back who hid from the world, but could keep up and even pass the class by leaps and bounds.

Marylin knew that every child deserves to know they were seen, and adored, even if they did not want to admit it.

For any child that came through her doors, she needed more than to offer just a simple affirmation. Each time a child entered or left her room, she made it a habit to greet them. She always told them, "You are the future and I am looking forward to seeing what you do.'' It was a catchphrase, she became known for.

She tried to be sensitive to the children who couldn't keep up. She instead rallied behind them, encouraging them to keep doing what they were doing. She even went as far as to rearrange her learning style to be more like theirs.

A close eye was kept on those who appeared to be having difficulties at home. Marylin was as involved as a teacher could be without overstepping, unless necessary.

She was one of those teachers who didn't let the pressure of time, difficult students, or their parents wear her down into an empty shell of resentment. Her life was teaching, and she was great at it.

Due to this, she never had time to find a love or raise a family of her own. “My children number a million and one, and more are yet to come.” She would tell those who asked, "That's enough for me."

For years, the job, along with the children she mentored, changed from pencils, pens, and paper to computers and Zoom meetings from bright-eyed children to amazing adults.

Occasionally, past students will show up out of the blue in their later years. It was evident that each student was so positively affected by Miss Barry's attention and love. Their faith in their ability to face anything head-on was strengthened by her words. Despite their differences, the students echoed the same word, “Because of you”.

Marylin fried her two eggs and put butter on her one slice of toast as she read over her lesson plan again in the early morning. This year she had sixth graders.

An email popped up in her inbox, because she was not one who liked surprises she opened it. There, staring back at her was a little round-faced boy running along a beach shoreline followed by a written note.

Dear Miss Berry,

I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Tad Headsworth. I was in your seventh-grade class. As a child, you have had such a positive impact on my life. I still remember your mantra, I use it with my ten-year-old son every day. “You are still the future and I can't wait to see what you do.” Thank you for being in my life.

Best regards,

Tad Headsworth

As Marylin closed her laptop and loaded it into its case, she smiled. It was time to make a difference, to meet new people, to learn new things