My Best Teacher

Walking into Mrs Humphrey’s Biology classroom was like walking into a natural science museum. Lining the shelves were divinely detailed skulls, jars which preserved diminutive bird foetuses and delicate drawings of plants and animals. The windows on the far side of the classroom overlooked a small jungle, creating the impression that we had escaped to the wild for a short while. Mrs. Humphrey was dubbed ‘Mother Nature’ by my friends and I, for her gentle laugh and love of everything from the tiniest amoeba to the magic of photosynthesis.

Mrs Humphrey could easily have been confused for a Hogwarts professor. Her mane of silvery curls distinguished her from the other teachers, not to mention her flowing clothes and collection of jingling necklaces and bracelets. She was quick to laugh; she would teach a gaggle of giggling teenagers about human reproductive systems with a twinkle in her eye. No one brought a blush to her cheeks like David Attenborough, though. Her crush on the famed naturalist, whose documentaries filled many a Friday afternoon class, inspired the Matric class of 2016 to label Attenborough as the class mascot.

Mother Nature lived up to her nickname in more ways than one. Her nature was to nurture, a quality which endeared her even to students who were not in her class. I remember feeling particularly anxious about an upcoming Biology test – I loved the subject but had to work hard for my marks to reflect that love. My meticulous mindmaps, while often more a form of procrastination than diligence, proved a channel for my enthusiasm and a useful studying aid. This particular test, however, seemed a formidable opponent for my mindmaps. Xylem and phloem were never my strong suit. Mrs Humphrey’s soothing soon placated my angst; after all, it is only one section in a thick file. Her ability to cherish even the shakiest student of Biology was astonishing and earned her a place in my heart.

Her passion for the subject imbued every aspect of our lessons. I never thought I could care so much about the cellular structure of muscle fibres, but with Mrs Humphrey by my side, it was the most fascinating matter. Her vibrant energy and palpable love for teaching made every lesson an adventure, every PowerPoint a magic show. When I think back, academic stress does not even cross my mind; instead, I remember the teacher who brought new life to the study of life. When Mother Nature is your guide, how could you not fall in love with Biology?