Reflections on a Master Teacher
William M. Moore Faculty member from 1978–2008 Bill Moore died on September 11, 2014. Many friends and family, alumni, faculty and staff gathered in King Theatre on October 11, 2014, to share reflections about Bill and celebrate his life. Speakers recounted stories about Bill’s warmth and humor, his care, his boundless intellect and charming, engaging style. Memories of Bill are vivid and enduring. Because it so aptly captures Bill as he was known by many Miltonians, Milton Magazine reprints here the tribute that David Smith, former English department chair, wrote and delivered at...
Read MoreDavid Smith, English Department
David Smith, English Department Member of the Faculty, 1981–2015 “Teaching is play, and anyone, at whatever level, who forgets this axiom will probably have a grim time of it,” writes David Smith, in his new book, Be a Teacher: A Memoir in Ten Ideas. After all, he reminds us, “[We are] but sharing a few precious hours with grumpy, cheerful, feisty, querulous, randy, reflective, impulsive, generous, and spirited teenagers, who deserve a full initiation into the human comedy before they go to college, let alone law school.” As far as I can tell, the best strategy for singing praise to...
Read MoreMaria Gerrity, English Department
Maria Gerrity, English Department Member of the Faculty, 1998–2015 Young teachers hope to launch a career with curiosity and authenticity; mid-career teachers yearn to balance work and family; and veterans earn gravitas. We are here to celebrate Maria Gerrity, who has played every melodious note on just such an ascending scale of a school career. Her 20-year arc at Milton has been backlit by her natural, easy way with her students and colleagues, an ease that has always invited us to learn and laugh genuinely. Before she set foot on Milton’s campus, Maria’s teaching career was well...
Read MoreVirginia Needham, Admission Office Staff, 1990–2015
Virginia Needham, Admission Office Staff, 1990–2015 Capturing all that Virginia has meant to Milton during her 25 years here is challenging. Virginia has been a welcoming, kind, supportive presence in the admission office. The admission office is often a family’s first point of contact with Milton Academy. Understandably, families may be anxious, but Virginia’s calming influence quickly puts them at ease. She brings grace and care to each interaction and signals to families that they are in good hands. Virginia’s thoughtful approach extends to all of us. At one time or another,...
Read MoreBarbara Kennard, Middle School English
Barbara Kennard, Middle School English Member of the Faculty, 2008–2015 In The Tempest, one of Barbara’s five-star productions with the sixth grade, Prospero says, “Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, the cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve.” I disagree with Shakespeare. None of Barbara’s work at Milton Academy is going to fade anytime soon. Consider what...
Read MoreJuan Ramos, Mathematics Department
Juan Ramos, Mathematics Department Member of the Faculty, 1998–2015 Imagining Milton Academy, Wolcott House and the math department without Juan Ramos is difficult. Always flexible and happy to teach what the department needed, Juan taught courses across the math curriculum. Students found his straightforward approach reassuring and his explanations clear, even when they were trying to master the most difficult ideas. More recently, Juan centered his work in the Skills Center, helping budding mathematicians at every level. There too, students greatly appreciated his clarity and willingness...
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