Erica Banderob
Math Department and Robbins House Head
Member of the Faculty, 1978–2016
Ricky came to work at Milton in 1978. John Banderob was working here already, and as former faculty member Donald Duncan recalls, “Ricky got the job, and it didn’t take very long before John realized that a treasure was teaching across the street.” However, Ricky is much more than the other half of the indomitable Banderob team. She stands up for what is just and fair, often looking at a situation from the student perspective. In fact, it is hard to imagine the School without Ricky here to ask the hard questions about what we are doing and why. Her attention to detail is legendary.
As a colleague, we all know Ricky as a ready resource for all School information. She can look at a situation from many angles and share constructive criticism in an incredibly thoughtful way. Through the math lens, she is generous, ready to discuss curriculum, act as a sounding board for a new idea, and be part of the team. As a teacher, no one has more patience. Each of her students knows that she is on their side, eager to celebrate their successes. If you advise one of her students, you know that she is as quick to share good news as she is to get in touch with you when something has gone awry. Never leaping to quick judgments about a student, Ricky often reports being surprised by a turnaround a particular student has made. She would never say so, but she most certainly had a hand in helping that student overcome a challenge and experience success.
Milton alumni fondly recall her kindness—how she helped make math clearer and easier to understand. She has made so many students’ lives better, both in the classroom and in Robbins House. Robbins was home to Ricky for 24 years; first she was a member of the dorm staff, and then she took the natural step toward running the dorm with John. Girls fortunate to have had Ricky as an advisor often don’t realize how lucky they are until years later, when the relationship is still going strong. (Though they immediately recognize Ricky’s baked goods as legendary.)
I will miss Ricky’s love for Milton and her big heart. As a colleague, Ricky is generous with mentoring time, recipes, and a listening ear. She always says thank you, and she is quick to acknowledge strength in others. Her unwavering gift of recognizing the heart of a matter helps all of us remember what matters most: the students. We treasure the many years that Ricky spent with us, and we wish her the best as she heads off into a wonderful next phase of life.
Heather Sugrue
Math Department Chair