Who is Miss Honey from Matilda and what is their importance?

Miss Honey is Matilda's teacher. Matilda likes her immediately and it is obvious why. She is a quiet person and not overly emotive about her affection, but her students all love her. In fact, "she possessed that rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care" (pg. 67.) Matilda is so taken with her that she creates a limerick dedicated to her that she eventually shares with the class. The entire class loves it and agrees that Miss Honey deserves all the praise Matilda bestows.