EIS Teacher Altmann Honored by Optimist Club

Michael Altmann almost didn't become a teacher.

Talking to the Board of Education Tuesday night, Altmann told the board how during a field teaching exercise the teacher he shadowed, who had an impact on him, told him to run. At the time, Altmann thought that was advice to run from teaching, so he became a casting director, a career that lasted him about a year.

"As a casting director it was a job to me," he said. "After a year, I made the change to teaching."

Altmann came to Westfield 17 years ago to teach public speaking and drama at Edison Intermediate School and was honored by the Optimist Club this year as one of the town's two intermediate school teachers of the year. During Tuesday's BOE meeting, students, parents and administrators spoke about him and his contributions to the town.

Altmann's student, Conor Wynn, shared a story about how he was nervous when he entered Edison as a sixth grader, not knowing what to expect. Taking public speaking with Altamann, Wynn noted how he grew as a speaker, even bringing the audience to laughter when he admitted to winging it on many of his speeches. Wynn also noted how he took part in the fall drama and grew as an actor based on Altmann's assistance.

EIS student Samantha Gruskin told the BOE that she did not think she could ever speak in public before she took one of Altmann's classes. She also said how Altmann is able to connect to all of his students, which is two thirds of the school in any given year.

"In Mr. Altmann's class you learn and don't know you're learning," she said.

Altmann's attributes as a teacher also extended to him teaching parents. Gruskin's mother, Nancy, talked about how she got assistance from Altmann when she had to speak before the New York City Council's transportation committee last fall. Mrs. Gruskin was testifying on behalf of a pedestrian safety law brought about by her husband's death last year after being hit by  a bicycle delivery man in midtown Manhattan.

"His comments and the time were invaluable," Nancy Gruskin said.

In his remarks, Altmann talked about his time in the classroom and how he enjoys working with his students on a daily basis. He talked more about the teacher, who told him to run, realizing that he didn't mean to scare the young novice out of the profession. Altmann said he believes the original teacher wanted to tell him to run if he didn't want to put in the hours and commitment necessary to be a good teacher.

"I am grateful to my students," Altmann said. "I come to school everyday wanting to make a difference in their lives. I am proud to say I am a teacher."