Big heart. Big hugs.

    Fridays are designated Crazy Hug Day, but if the students had their way, every day would be Crazy Hug Day in Cyndi Bahler’s kindergarten classroom.
    With evidence of bright blue frosting from that afternoon’s birthday celebration dotting their faces and fingers, the boys and girls packed up their backpacks, which were half the size of their own little bodies, and lined up, anticipation building as the clock ticked closer to the end of the day.
    Bahler took time to say goodbye to each student individually, but a standard hug just would not do. High-flying, twirling, big-squeeze hugs are the standard, causing a host of giggles to fill this kindergarten classroom.
    High fives, tickles, pats on the back, smiles and hugs are all commonplace for Bahler’s students, and those are only a small portion of the ways that the teacher pours out her love.
    “When I hear the word ‘heart,’ the first name that comes to my mind is Cyndi Bahler,” said Lynn Schneider, one of four of Bahler’s peers to nominate her for the Heart Award in Holyoke School District’s ninth annual Emerald Awards recognition program.
    “When we say that teachers are the heart of education, Mrs. Bahler certainly exemplifies this, and every student, parent and co-worker that has had the opportunity to work with her has benefited greatly from her wonderful heart,” said Schneider.
    With 25 years in education on her résumé and five of those in the kindergarten classroom at Holyoke Elementary School, Bahler has had a lot of students come in and out of her life, and somehow her heart grows a little more every year to make room for more.
    “I want to know the ins and outs of every student,” said Bahler. That means she’s at recess with them, at the lunchroom table, at their soccer games, at their concerts, at their art shows.
    “Everyone’s equally important,” she said, emphasizing she gets to know all 51 kindergartners, not just the ones in her homeroom.
    “I love to tease so they see I’m normal,” said the teacher.
    She’ll even intentionally make mistakes in front of the class. “If you can’t make a mistake in kindergarten, when can you?” she asked, noting that she tries to help the students “save face” whenever she can to help save them from embarassment.
    “Cyndi is very attentive to what the students’ exact needs are and will make sure her classroom is conducive to help each student learn. She gets to know them personally and understands what type of learner they are,” said nominator Tarah Priddy.
    Bahler extends her love for her students to their families, as well. Since her first year of teaching, she has made it a priority to make multiple phone calls to all of her students’ parents/guardians — not negative, but POSITIVE phone calls.
    “We share the common goal: to love this kid and grow this kid,” said Bahler. “Every single child has something positive to say something about.”
    She also sends home a newsletter with students every week with some discussion starters for parents. “It’s to keep them in awe of what their child is capable of doing and keep dialogue open.”
    Bahler thinks it’s important for the community to know her as a person. She not only makes a point to accept invitations and support students outside of school, she also spends time in Holyoke getting groceries, getting her hair cut, etc. “It takes a school to support a community and a community to support a school,” she said.
    Schneider’s nomination said, “Just because students walk out of her classroom at the end of their kindergarten year does not mean they walk out of Mrs. Bahler’s heart.” Bahler has only missed one graduation ceremony that past students have invited her to in the last 25 years. She not only goes, but she also gives handwritten letters to the graduates.

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