Caring Teachers at Taft High

In the light of unfavorable attitudes toward our Los Angeles public school teachers, I would like to inform you of “above and beyond the call of duty” teachers at Taft High School in Woodland Hills.

Our (almost) 16-year-old son came down with chicken pox. He had been home for three days when his math teacher, Mrs. Swaim, gave him a call to say how sorry she was that he was ill and that she would do all she could to help him keep up with his schoolwork. The following day, his English teacher, Ms. Landau, called with the same sympathy and told him how much the class missed him. Following the phone calls, his Spanish teacher, Ms. Dave, sent him a get-well card signed by the entire class, and a card was sent by Mrs. Swaim, signed by his geometry class. In addition to the phone calls and mail, Mrs. Swaim came by our home twice with get-well wishes, assignments and the offer to help Todd after school or at lunch upon his return!

I teach at a well-known private junior high school in the Valley. My fellow teachers and I were so impressed by the actions and concern of these Taft High School teachers in the wake of the strike talks, and in the general feeling that prevails toward public school educators.

I want to commend Mrs. Swaim, Ms. Landau and Ms. Dave on their professional integrity, their caring and their striving to reach out and touch students and families. Their concern certainly lifted the spirits of a very itchy, unhappy boy and motivated him to work on the assignments that had been sent home.

JEAN P. WINTON

Woodland Hills

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