Mr. Joel Max Kabatznick ~ F-Faculty ~ 1980-1983
Departed 11/25/95~Alaska~Complications due to M.S.
Mr. Joel Kabatznick was seriously one of the most unique and memorable teachers and one of my most favorite in all of my educational experiences. He was an excellent teacher and taught and ran the Theater Arts department @ ISB. He was a bit of an eccentric and always wore clothing that did not match. I think he was either color blind or he just had different taste in clothing. We were all told that he had a PhD. in Math from Harvard University. He had a real down to earth way of relating to all the kids on the campus. He was the “COOL TEACHER”. There was not one kid that didn’t like him. He was a true gem and a one of a kind. He was entirely responsible for both my brother’s and myself becoming interested and involved in the theater program and participating in the school plays. Mr. Kabatznick was the kind of teacher who made learning a fun and positive experience. He advocated on his students behalf always and related to us as a friend not an authority figure. He mentored and counseled us when we got in trouble at school or sent up to Mrs. Boonaug’s office as well. I will never forget the time when he found my mom at Scott’s graduation and simply walked over and said nothing and sat down right in her lap and put his arms around her, giving her a huge hug and a kiss. He always had good things to say about others. I don’t ever remember hearing anything coming out of his mouth that was mean or negative. It was absolutely a crazy, funny, and bold move on his part and he was someone who would carry out off the wall crazy stuff and make people laugh. He taught so many of us about the importance of having laughter in our lives. I was truly very saddened to hear about his passing on the website. I was hoping to be able to find him and just thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the great experiences we had @ ISB.
May God Rest His Soul. He was an awesome person and for someone with his accomplishments he was very graciously humble.
From: Katrina Fortner
To: ISBangkok
Sent: 2/12/2009 1:27:51 A.M. Central Standard Time
I Found this tribute on Amherst College Alumni Website
In Memory of Joel Max Kabatznick
JOEL MAX KABATZNICK
South Main Street, Westbrook, Conn.
Prepared at Middletown High School
Mathematics
Phi Delta Sigma, Rushing Chairman
Football “1962”, Wrestling 1,2,3,4.
Masquers. Squire of the Pit.
Joel’s sister writes that Joel died November 25, 1995 while residing and teaching in Alaska. He is dearly missed!
A former student of his –Rebecca Lopez — adds the following remembrance
Joel Kabatznick is a hero to many, he was loved and adored by his students. I was his student from 1983-1985 and consider him a huge influence in my life. His home was always opened to his students. We danced around the house when his infant son would reach some milestone, and his wife would make pizza and popcorn for us. It was a warm, happy environment that so many of his students lacked at home. He passed away in 1995 from complications due to M.S., my understanding is that he continued to teach almost to his last breath. Even today, over ten years later, writing this, is very emotional for me. I wish my own children could have known him. He was a crazy man who smoked cigars, ate raw garlic, wore these crazy ties, and would do the most outlandish things in class to get our attention We loved him and we miss him.
Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com