Teacher, 90, Achieves Lifelong Dream - Publishing Memoir of Her Life as ‘Miss Teach’

Clinton, NY (PRWEB) December 29, 2004

Anne I. Remis will be celebrating her 90th birthday on December 29th as well as the achievement of a lifelong dream, publishing her memoirs of her 29 years as a pioneer teacher of children with disabilities.

The book, published by The Movement for a Better America, Mt. Freedom, NJ, is the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream -- a history, as seen through one teacher’s eyes, of that early period in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s when the field of special education was in its infancy. The book is filled with heart-warming stories about the inventiveness needed by a creative teacher at a time when few modern methods for teaching the handicapped were available.

Miss Remis recalls struggling endlessly to reach one young girl of seven who had never spoken, although she had no apparent physical impairment. However, she did seem to enjoy hearing the story of Little Red Riding Hood. To reach her, Miss Teach tried reading the story with as dramatically as possible, listening for any reaction at all.

Finally, she got to the high point of the story: “And then the wolf grabbed Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother and gobbled her up!” she read excitedly. That’s when little Patty spoke her first words, “Son of a bitch!” It wasn’t exactly what she was hoping for, but in this case, it was a welcome breakthrough.

Other achievements were more technical in nature, like developing a very early version of one of today’s electronic communications boards designed to help the disabled develop aphonic communications skills, as well as a companion guide for teachers. But the ultimate achievements were personal in the difference she was able to make in the lives of her students, some of whom went on to successful careers in writing, social work, education, and marketing.

According to MBA President Dennis Howard, “We published the book as a testament to the power of what one person can do to leave the world a better place for today’s children.” He added, “I can’t think of a better example of someone who lived that philosophy than Anne Remis, who had to overcome a 10-year long struggle with tuberculosis before dedicating the rest of her life to the education of special needs children. Her story is a precious piece of education history that deserved to be recorded.”

All royalties from the book will go for the benefit of children with disabilities through CP Rochester, a non-profit organization serving children with a wide range of disabilities. The book is available through her website: http://www.MissTeach.org.

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