Q: How long have you taught at FHN?

21 years.

Q: Why are you retiring this year?

 I’m just finishing my twenty-first year of teaching and in the past few years, foot problems and allergies have been difficult for me. I want to retire while I’m still feeling good.

Q: What are your plans for after retirement?

Well, I will sub part time in Troy or Wentzville because it’s closer to home but I plan to travel and garden; my two favorite things.

Q: Are you excited to be retiring? 

Yes I am. Only because I want to enjoy the rest of my life. I think it’s time to enjoy it a little more.

Q: What’s the most challenging part about teaching?

The disrespect of some students. And for the most part, it’s only very few students but after awhile it starts to get to you.

Q: What are you going to miss most about FHN?

The people. I mean, students and fellow teachers. The last few weeks I’ve had very mixed feelings about leaving.

Q: What is your favorite memory from your time here?

There’s just so many to choose just one. The relationships that I’ve developed with the students here over the years has to be my favorite.

Q: How do you think you’ve affected students during your time here?

It varies. I think for the most part, I like that I encouraged kids to achieve. I mean, I’ve seen kids go from an F to not just a passing grade but and A, B, or C. Just watching young people develop is something that’s important to me. No one leaves here as a senior the same way they came in as a freshman.

Q: Who’s your favorite colleague? 

There’s too many. So many teachers have helped me. The last few years my husband passed away, this year I was sick and they’ve done so much to help me. There’s way too many to choose just one.

Q: Do you have any funny memories from you time here?

I like to use humor in my class sometimes. So one year I had a student that refused to participate in a tornado drill, so I told him I couldn’t force him to participate but I would be writing him up. And you know he’s angry and such. So I said, “wait until we have the earthquake fire drill.” He said “what’s that?” And I said, “well, it’s where you carry your desk out to the parking lot and sit under it.” Of course he thought this was stupid but the other kids thought it was hilarious. It was just funny to see how gullible this kid was. He was a sophomore believe it or not.