Over the years, you form bonds with the people that teach you and help you grow into a better, more educated person. This year, the graduating class of 2016 is not only saying goodbye to the senior class, but a few of the much loved teachers that have helped us get where we are today.
To acknowledge them leaving, we at SLAMedia have interviewed 2016’s departing teachers, to see what they’d like to leave as a legacy, and what they’ll never forget about their time with us.
Math Teacher Caitlin Thompson
What are you doing after you leave SLA?
I’m hoping to work part time for both Inquiry Schools and Little Bellas (national mountain bike camp organization for young girls, littlebellas.com). I’m also hoping to spend more time with my daughter who will be 1 at the end of the summer.
What’s a favorite SLA memory?
I have a lot of fond memories but my favorites have all been traveling with students both to Liverpool in 2010 and on the river trip in 2011, ’12, ’13, and ’14.
What do you hope your legacy is at this school?
I hope that more students will get to travel and do Outward Bound field trips.
Math Teacher Mark Miles
What are you doing after you leave SLA?
I will be the media specialist for a private high school in Minnesota. I will help the school modernize the library into a media space, help the teachers integrate technology into their curriculum, and help the school transition to a one-to-one laptop program.
What’s a favorite SLA memory?
My favorite SLA memory was the class of 2014 graduation. I was so proud of my advisees for their accomplishment, and I was so happy to be sharing the stage with them in that moment.
What do you hope your legacy is at this school?
Having created three electives (2-day and 4-day computer science engineering and creative writing) that will live on next year is a pretty neat feeling (maybe one day Theater Arts will make a comeback). One of my favorite things about teaching at SLA has been being able to teach students the things that I loved. I’m excited to see these classes continue after I leave and see what the new teachers bring to them.
Math Teacher Mark Bey
What are you doing after you leave SLA?
I am moving to New York city to teach at a small high school in Harlem. There I will be teaching a couple Spanish classes but will also serve as a Dean of students; helping the new school grow school culture and I will be working with the 1st 12th grade class.
What’s a favorite SLA memory?
I guess my most vivid and strong memory of SLA happened in December 2010, when I found out my niece passed away. My advisee saw me devastated in the hall crying and he just gave me a big hug and support. At that moment I realized that I was more than just a teacher to my advisory but we were a family that cared about one another.
What do you hope your legacy is at this school?
I hope students remember me as a teacher who in class I was consistent, fair and supportive. Outside the classroom I hope they remember how much I enjoyed planning prom, graduation and other social events for the school that I think added to the school culture. That I was a teacher that you could talk to, laugh with and be yourself.
Leave a Reply