Q After graduating from Atholton, what drew you back, and how did you get your start at teaching?

A I always wanted to be a biology teacher. The teachers that I had [at Atholton] were excellent teachers. I realized that?s what I wanted to do. I went to Towson University with the idea that I could teach.

I applied to several counties. In 1973, I was hired by Waterloo Middle School. Then I was asked by the science supervisor to open the new school, Owen Brown Middle School, as a science person there from 1976 to 1978.

In middle school, you teach all different levels of science.

Then the person [who] had taught [at Atholton] was going to have a baby, and the person in charge of the department was [a former] teacher. She called me in April 1978 and said, “We?re going to have a biology opening.” She opened the door for me.

Q What teacher inspired you to become a biology teacher?

A The biology teacher they had [at Atholton], Mr. Robert Vosnick, is the person I would like to have emulated.

He was a great teacher. And he was the one who would challenge the students. He would ask open-ended question, and he wouldn?t just give us the answers to questions.

He would present some information but not give the final answer, and we would have to solve it on our own. I liked to do that in my own teaching.

I thought his tests were very fair, but challenging. He had very high standards, and I tried to copy that too when I taught.

Q How do you feel about retiring?

A It was not my decision. It was my doctor?s decision.

I didn?t want to retire, but my doctor said that I have to reduce my stress because I have high blood pressure, and that?s affected my heart, and I?ve developed heart problems.

I?m trying to think of other ways to find something rewarding in my life.

Q Are you still going to be active in the Atholton community after you retire?

A I?m going to attend the student basketball games. I like to go to sports events.

I think it?s very important for teachers to show students they can support the students not only in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom as well.

Q What are you going to miss most about teaching at Atholton?

A Definitely the students. The interaction with the students.

Most of the classes I have are upper-level elective classes, and most of students are very involved and really want to be here. They want to be able to succeed in what they?re going to do.

When students send me letters that say, “I got an 89 on my exam and the highest grade in my class because I had you” ? those types of things I love and I will miss.

Q How do you want to be remembered by the school community?

AI would hope that my students and other people would know that working hard eventually will pay off, and it takes time to achieve something.

You just have to put in effort, and you will succeed. I?ve always tried to live by that.

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