Inside Room 420, an archive of mementos resides: A Tehuana dress-attired Frida Kahlo doll on black shelves, hand-drawn portraits and pictures of family on a bulletin board, a jar of Twizzlers and Hershey’s next to the computer, a Dia de los Muertos pillow on an upholstered chair, and crocheted figures on a circular desk. For Ms. Gala Handler, this collection represents her accomplishments, her passions, and her students’ gratitude. Now, she is retiring after 11 years as the World Language Department Head and two years as the ENL Department Chair.
Prior to her time at South High, Ms. Handler boasted a 37-year teaching career. After graduating from Stony Brook University with two teaching degrees in Spanish and Italian, she worked across New York City and Long Island. Though she took breaks to care for her children, she tutored to “keep her finger in it.” She later returned to Stony Brook for her administrative degree, then took on administrative positions. However, rather than supervise, Ms. Handler wanted to refocus on teaching. She applied to teach at South High twice with the previous assistant superintendent Dr. Lando’s encouragement to become the World Language Department Head. “And this is the best school that I’ve ever worked in because of the students. I always say: ‘If I had to retire, this is the best place to retire from,” Ms. Handler said.
Here at South, Ms. Handler taught all Spanish classes, from 9R to 12 AP Spanish Language and Culture. To ensure that her students stay engaged, Ms. Handler acted out dialogues and incorporated activities like student-created introductory slides or games like trashketball every Friday. Other language teachers have developed similar lessons subsequently. Ms. Handler also brought her classes to Repertorio Espanol for a Spanish play. This year, her class saw En el Tiempo de las Mariposas (In the Time of the Butterflies).
Reflecting on her teaching, Ms. Handler said, “I don’t know everything about Spanish [culture because] it’s so varied. With Latin America, every country is different. And that’s what’s exciting: I’m also learning.”
Her continued learning ignited a genuine passion for the topics she teaches, leading her students to mirror that passion. “She doesn’t put a huge emphasis on grades, and I think that makes learning more enjoyable and also more peaceful because we’re able to focus on learning Spanish,’” said Evelyn Won, a current 12 AP Spanish student. “It just encourages us to keep trying.”
Ms. Handler’s commitment extended past the classroom. When the New York State Education Department removed the Spanish Regents, Ms. Handler collaborated with other district teachers to establish the FLACS exam in 2012. And as part of the Building Curriculum Group, Ms. Handler worked with other teachers to discuss new course offerings and approve conferences that teachers wished to attend.
Though she is moving on to another chapter of her life, Ms. Handler plans to tutor still or teach part-time. However, her main focus will be her family and hobbies. For instance, as a self-taught crochet artist, she is crocheting a dress to wear for her daughter’s upcoming wedding in December. And when her husband retires, they plan to further their love for traveling, slowly checking places off their bucket list: Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico City, Mexico; Machu Picchu, Peru; and Europe.
Though Ms. Handler’s Frida Kahlo doll and crocheted trinkets will disappear from room 402 in the coming school year, her lessons and contributions to our community remain. She leaves one last piece of advice for her students and South: “Always be true to yourself; always be who you are. Don’t let anybody change that.”
