I remember the first time I met Ms. Sidhu. She came into my room and introduced herself. We chatted for a while about workbooks, classes we would be teaching, etc. When she left I thought to myself: "She seems nice. Very polite. I'm sure we will get along fine".
FINE!!?! "Fine" does not describe the way that Ms Sidhu and I ended up getting along. We have ended up becoming like two peas in a pod. Birds of a feather. Two sides of the same coin. Pick your cliche, but they all apply. It is truly incredible how similar Ms Sidhu's and my own beliefs are about... practically everything! Methods of instruction. Styles of assessment. Amount of homework assigned. Types of students we love teaching most. It all matches up!
For this reason, working with Ms Sidhu has been a DREAM! I have done more - and better - collaboration with her than any other teacher in my 20-year career. It's so fun to work with someone when you have similar senses of humour, intensity levels (Ms Sidhu is laid back like me), and goals.
Ms Sidhu is an amazing teacher. She has been asked to teach some really challenging courses that she does not have much background in: Info Tech, Programming, etc. Yet, in these (and ALL) her classes Ms Sidhu is always calm, supportive, organized, and in-charge. I love the tone that exists in all of Ms Sidhu's class. All the students seem happy, relaxed, and appreciated. And they all seem to appreciate her as well (as they should).
I know that many of you are very sad to see Ms Sidhu leave KG and I feel exactly the same way. She is a great teacher (as I already said) but she is an even better person. She is fair, thoughtful, funny, interesting, and self-assured.
Thanks, Ms Sidhu, for everything you have done for our school and everything you have done to make my job easier and more fun. You are a special person and I hate to see you go. However, I know this is a good move for you career-wise (Ms Sidhu wants to teach Chemistry) and I know that we will remain good friends. I love ya, Mandeep!