There are memories that time does not erase, only numbs. Recently, I reconnected with Antonio, my kindergarten teacher at CEIP Argana Alta, and with that reunion, many memories that had always been there, silent but intact, were awakened. Hearing from my first teacher again, after so many years, moved me deeply and made me relive a period that marked my childhood.
This open letter is addressed to him, whom I remember with immense affection and to whom, no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to express in words all the gratitude and affection I feel.
Being a teacher implies enormous responsibility, a lot of patience, and, above all, a great vocation. Our first teachers are like paintbrushes: with them, we begin to paint the story of who we are. In my case, the first to leave that mark was Antonio.
It deeply moves me to know that, after so much time, he still remembers his students with such affection. It's something that particularly touches me, because it shows that we were also important to him. Reconnecting has been a reunion I had long yearned for and which has brought me immense joy. Hearing from my childhood teacher has given me back a piece of those happy years.
With him, I learned much more than letters or numbers: I discovered the value of dedication, of vocation, and of joy in what one does. I believe many of my classmates will agree that he was an exceptional teacher. One of those who leave a mark without seeking it, who teach without imposing, and who accompany without judging. He was not only a teacher in the academic sense, but also in the deepest human sense.
I always remember her smile, her infinite patience, and that ability to turn any day into an adventure. Every activity, every game, every moment in class had an educational purpose, even though we, being children, only saw fun.
Evoking those days fills me with nostalgia: the times we sat in a circle on that blue tatami, when he made us gofio, the games in the play kitchens, the moments of quiet relaxation after recess, the carnival floats—in which I, so shy, always found his support and that of Miguel Ángel, another teacher—, Canary Islands Day… so many memories that today, with the years, are even more valuable.
Sometimes we are not aware of the impact our first teachers have on our lives. With time, we understand that they were the ones who sowed curiosity, confidence, and the desire to learn in us. Like those footprints we leave on the school wall, yours, Antonio, also left its mark on us. And even though the years pass, it remains there, intact
Therefore, beyond personal memory, I want these words to also serve to recognize the value of public education and of those who make it possible. In times when public services are questioned or undervalued, it is worth remembering that behind each of them are professionals with immense dedication who sustain the essentials of our society. Education, like healthcare and so many other fields, needs more support, resources, and recognition. Because caring for those who teach is also caring for everyone's future.
Dear Antonio, thank you for so much.
For teaching with your heart, for making us feel important, for accompanying us in the first steps of life, and for reminding us that learning can also be a way of loving
With much affection,
From Redwan Baddouh to Antonio Ramos