Obama (@POTUS) tweets thanks to his fifth-grade teacher
ASSOCIATED PRESS
This 1972 photo provided by Na Opio, the yearbook of Punahou School, shows Barack Obama, in back row, third from left, posing with his 5th grade class at the Punahou. His teacher Mabel Hefty is at right.(AP Photo/Na Opio, yearbook of Punahou School)
President Barack Obama (@POTUS) tweeted his thanks Tuesday to his fifth-grade Punahou School teacher, Mabel Hefty, and “the educators who inspire our young people every single day.”
Hefty, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, had been teaching at the Punahou for more than two decades when Obama entered her class in the fall of 1971. She helped him adjust to his new school and gave him a sense of belonging.
Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day, and the president joined people across the country in publicly thanking beloved teachers.
Hefty’s name also came up during a presidential debate in 2007, when Obama was asked to name his favorite teacher. He credited her for making “every single child feel special.”
To my 5th grade teacher Ms. Mabel Hefty and the educators who inspire our young people every single day: Thank you. pic.twitter.com/fz2ij8daBg
— President Obama (@POTUS) May 3, 2016
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Hefty taught at Punahou from 1947 to 1980, and died in 1995.
Apparently, she thought Obama was pretty special too. His name came up in conversation near the end of her life, Hefty’s daughter Carolyn Whorff recalled in an interview with the Star-Bulletin in 2007. Obama had not yet entered politics at that time.
“I know he’s going to be somebody,” Hefty told her daughter. “You probably will hear about him. If you do, look him up.”
21 responses to “Obama (@POTUS) tweets thanks to his fifth-grade teacher”
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That’s how we use to dress as kids in those days; not like that now.
I went to public school … my t-shirt had a puka in it … and I was in the front row in that pic. Ha!
Sounds like a great teacher. Thanks to President Obama for recognizing the power for the good that teachers are.
Kids probably dressed better than today. However, the kids probably wore their nicest clothes for that yearbook picture.
That’s private school dress. Obama not hard to pick out.
easiest where is waldo game ever
that’s a hang ten shirt he’s wearing…lol!
so which one was him in the photo?
GASP!
My special teachers were Mrs. Spillner (4th grade), Mrs. Tyau (6th grade), Mrs. Hoffman (7th grade), Mrs. Hoshibata (11th grade) and Miss Akana (12th grade and LCC).
who cares your not president………..
That’s what they wear to a madrassa?
Ouch, sjean.
Is she the teacher that taught him that we have 57 states? Corpse-man? Massatoosits?
Ouch!!! lol
I thought only the public schools went bare foot, even the girls!
POTHEAD is ahead of the times wearing all black it seems.
Too bad Trump didn’t run in 2012.
Noble of our President to thank his fifth grade teacher for her work. Kudos to all who remember and appreciate their teachers of yesterday!
anything for attention, too much…………..
Hey, now we know Obama has a direct line to the non-living…..that will be his new profession…..a SEANCE where he can help you communicate with the Dead…..geezus, his 5th gr. tchr. has been dead for over 21 yrs.
Miss Hussy was my 1st grade teacher. She loved me so much, I had to repeat 1st grade.