Diana Savas: The Impact of a Good Teacher

    One aspect of The Distance Between Us that really struck me was the relationship that grows between Reyna and her professor, Diana Savas. Throughout Reyna's story, she is abandoned, shamed, and even beaten by the adults who are supposed to be holding her up and nurturing her. In Diana Savas, Reyna finds one of the first adults to actually warmly encourage her progress. This connection comes after a particularly difficult time in Reyna's life. After her cherished older sister suddenly moves out of the apartment they share with their father and step-mother, her father denies Reyna permission to apply to college. She is left heartbroken and hopeless. Her father is violent and aggressive and Reyna shrinks under the weight of her desperation. She attempts to get a job as a model, but ends up in an office with some sleazy men who ask her to remove her dress. Realizing that she is not in a safe situation, Reyna gathers the strength to run. When she is safely away from the men, she wakes up and makes a fresh commitment to pursue her education. The next day, with furious conviction, she declares to her father that the following day she would be enrolling in college. 

    She would encounter Dr. Savas in her first English class. Reyna describes Dr. Savas, 

        "She had short black hair and brown eyes framed by glasses. She was not too tall nor too short, and full-figured-- "llenita,' as we say in Spanish. It turned out that she was a Greek-American who, to my surprise, spoke excellent Spanish. The thought that a non-Latina took the time to learn my native tongue pleased me and impressed me." (Grande 299)

As their relationship progresses, their connection deepens. Reyna finds comfort in Dr. Savas' honest smile. They discuss writing and books, Dr. Savas introduces Reyna to the world of Latino literature and, for the first time since Reyna has become and avid reader, she sees herself reflected in the characters and scenery. Reyna does not open up to Dr. Savas about the tumult at home until her father is jailed for beating his wife and Reyna has nowhere to go. Dr. Savas, or Diana, opens her home to Reyna. They cook and eat together, they discuss literature and film. Diana is always seeing the good in Reyna and warmly encouraging her to pursue her dreams. Their friendship will last into Reyna's adult years, as her career as a writer blossoms and unfolds. 

As an educator, I am particularly drawn to this relationship because I feel like it is such a great illustration of how much of an impact a good teacher can have on a students life. In a study 570,000 students in North Carolina, researchers found that 'ninth-grade teachers who improved their students' non-cognitive skills- which include motivation and the ability to adapt to new situations, as well as self-regulation-had important impacts on those students: The were more likely to have higher attendance and grades and to graduate than their peers. They were also less likely to be suspended and to be held back a grade. These benefits persisted through high school." (Terada 2019)

When Reyna enters Dr. Savas' classroom, she is 'pleased and impressed' by Dr. Savas' fluent Spanish. Just the idea that a non-Latina would take the time to learn Reyna's native tongue, fills her with appreciation for her teacher.Teachers have an important job that goes beyond the realm of grades and academcs. Teachers have an opportunity to create bonds with diverse groups of learners and build social structures that encourage students to invest and succeed. I think this is one way in which Multicultural Education is so important. Being aware of the diverse cultures in your classroom and finding ways to genuinely connect with your students through these avenues fosters a sense of trust and belonging that makes the classrooms a safe place, ready for learning. 

Grande, Reyna. (2013) 

The Distance Between Us. New York. Washington Square Press.

Terada, Youki. "Understanding a Teacher's Long-Term Impact." Edutopia. February 4, 2019   https://www.edutopia.org/article/understanding-teachers-long-term-impact. June 29, 2020