“Learning a language is like opening a giant door.”
Claire Riser
Two events in my childhood were probably the greatest influences on my life. The first was when my father took a teaching position at Fisk … Continue reading about Claire Riser
Schooling
“No detail seems to have been omitted. There were class parts, class colors, a Latin motto, class pins, printing invitations, programs, and even a brass band…Alida Keizer delivered the salutatory in Latin, and Emma Sproul the valedictory in Greek.”
– Jasper Stahl, The History of Broad Bay, Vol. 2, 1956
“They’re not loud yet, but they’re getting there.”
Katlin Puchalski
I grew up in South Addison Maine in the middle of 100 acres of woods with no running water, no electricity and no telephone. We had horses, goats and … Continue reading about Katlin Puchalski
"Attitude matters."
Julia Adams
When I was really little, we lived in a first-floor apartment of an old, beautiful building, and upstairs lived a lady. She was probably 40 years … Continue reading about Julia Adams
“May you be safe. May you be wise. May you be well.”
Linda Pease
When I was a little girl, Medomak Valley High School was almost our second home. It was just built, and it smelled new, and my dad was the interim … Continue reading about Linda Pease
“I miss knowing the youth of America!”
Betty Studley
You want to know what really bugs me? (And I’m always saying to myself, “Betty, keep your mouth shut.”) It’s the way people talk about the … Continue reading about Betty Studley
“Now I know how fast a cheetah can run.”
Brittany Dondlinger
Like everything we seem to do in our family, we don’t know what we’re doing when we start something. But we try to follow what we really believe … Continue reading about Brittany Dondlinger
“It’s a dance party every week.”
Katie Deabler
I wanted no part of group fitness when I first started working out. We were in the old Taction building, with my class, which was working out on … Continue reading about Katie Deabler
“It was humbling.”
Zachary Perkins
Impatience is the poison of success. I had moved out of home, was already working two jobs and eager to get the best start in life I … Continue reading about Zachary Perkins
“And I’ll say, ‘I remember you.’”
John Gatcombe
I was the teacher other teachers sent the students to that couldn’t sit still to. I think it was because I could spot the children who were coming … Continue reading about John Gatcombe
“You do your best to complete the assignment.”
Trinity & Angelia Anderson
(Trinity) Thin Mints are definitely the most popular, but my favorites are the Peanut Butter Sandwiches and the Caramel deLites (the former … Continue reading about Trinity & Angelia Anderson
“I have to ask myself each time: ‘Is this kiddo really sick or not?’”
Miranda Jandreau
As a nurse, I have trouble staying in my office. I like to go classroom to classroom. I call it ‘house calls.’ I really want all my kiddoes to … Continue reading about Miranda Jandreau
“I drew a girl curled up in a ball to protect herself underneath a tent inside the house.”
Emmalynn Campbell
My biological father kidnapped me for a couple of weeks when I was two years old because my mom won custody, and he didn’t want to pay child … Continue reading about Emmalynn Campbell
“I want the whole community to see our school and stand up for our needs.”
Andrea Curtis
I think a big misconception in our special ed world is that if a student can play, walk, and swing on the swings, they don’t need help. People can … Continue reading about Andrea Curtis
“Certainly, there’s more people could do, but for some reason we’re holding back.”
Catherina Robinson
I never had any intention of being good in academics. As a freshman, I was all over the place, up and down the walls with no direction of what I … Continue reading about Catherina Robinson
“Sometimes dysfunctional, but still a family.”
Jennifer Hatch
A really good day is when I see kids excited to be in class. A really bad one is when they are looking at the clock. But usually it’s a moment … Continue reading about Jennifer Hatch