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Retiring teacher gets sweet send-off
RELATED STORY: Paths of Poland graduates vary
By SEAN BARRON
Photo
Geoffrey Hauschild|The Vindicator.Retiring teacher, Barbara Stacy, receieves a gift from Danielle Sabelli on behalf of her graduating class during Poland's 2010 Commencement Ceremony at the high school gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.
2010 Poland Commencement
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POLAND
Barbara Stacy taught courses that included child development and food preparation for 30 years at Poland Seminary High School before retiring this year, but it was the 12th-grade students who cooked up a final sendoff.
“Today’s honor was a complete surprise,” Stacy said after receiving gifts, special recognition and a standing ovation during Sunday’s Class of 2010 commencement in the school’s field house, where she watched her latest seniors become graduates.
Plenty of hugs also were on the menu, as Stacy, a teacher of family and consumer science (formerly home economics) was the recipient of numerous accolades from school personnel as well as students and their families.
She also was the senior class adviser.
Stacy’s 40-year teaching career began at Reed Middle School in Hubbard, where she taught a course in food to youngsters in grades five through eight. She also taught two years at Stuttgart American High School in Stuttgart, Germany.
Perhaps one of Stacy’s most cherished memories will be the appearance of Barbara Williams, who brought flowers to Stacy for her retirement. Williams also was Stacy’s first student at Reed.
“That was unbelievable,” the longtime teacher said. “She says she never forgot me.”
Stacy was hard pressed to recall a particular fond memory of her career, but said that collective experiences with her students, such as senior trips and a mock wedding in her family relations class, will stay with her.
She also passionately recalled how students, for their final examination in her child-development class, put together a story or finger play and prepared a nutritional snack for children age 3 to 5. The main purpose was to teach the high school students better ways to interact and work with children, she explained.
Stacy said she hopes to be remembered for having given her best each day to those she instructed.
Even though many young people today are on their own or in a single-parent family, it is hoped they will still have the desire to make good choices, she noted.
“I want the kids to be happy and successful in life and enjoy themselves, but hopefully never look back and regret anything I tried to teach them,” Stacy said.
Her plans include exploring a few job possibilities, spending a lot of time with her two grandchildren and traveling to New York City, Florida and Australia, she said.
So, if you assume that retiring from Poland schools after three decades means that teaching is no longer in her blood, think again.
“I will always, always, always teach somewhere,” Stacy said. “I’ll teach until I die.”