HOPE E. TREMBLAY
As an alum of St. Mary’s, I am thrilled to see progress at the high school. Principal Matt Collins, his staff and new board members are working hard, along with support (finally!) from the Diocese. I’m feeling good about the direction of the school and what the future holds.
I am also happy to say the Parish School (preschool through eighth grade) is following that path. There is a news story today on changes to their board, an enrollment study, and efforts to recruit 40 new students.
I felt compelled to put in a good word as a person who spent 12 years of my life at St. Mary’s schools. Eight years were spent inside the elementary school, and they are eight years I look back on fondly.
People jokingly say “I survived Catholic school,” but I say I thrived there. I attended school at St. Mary’s beginning in first grade in 1978. Miss Daley was my teacher. I also remember she had a part-time job waitressing at Ye Olde Whip. I saw her there while eating with my family and was very surprised that my teacher had a second job. Little did I know that a young teacher, especially at a small Catholic school, couldn’t make a living teaching. Even today, Catholic schools pay less than their public school counterparts, but to me, that just shows how dedicated the teachers are to take less pay for a job they feel is rewarding.
Just last week, STM second grade teacher Lynn Collins received a Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award. Principal Juli Jensen-Derrig touted Lynn’s ability to be innovative, caring, and to challenge her students. That’s what I remember about St. Mary’s.
Back then, there was a mix of lay and nun teachers. As I got older, there were fewer nuns, but at our helm was Principal Sr. Lillian. She was strict, but fair. Of course we were a bit afraid of her (a little fear of your principal isn’t a bad thing!) and we were especially fearful of being sent to the bench of shame. This was a wooden bench, likely an old church pew, painted green that was just outside Sr. Lil’s door. Anyone sent to the principal had to sit on this bench for our fellow students and teachers (and any visiting parents) to see. I admit I sat on that bench once or twice. And I admit it was because I was talking during class!
Then there was Sr. Sue. She taught fourth grade and she was a clown. Literally. She was an officially registered clown under the name Happy. Her classroom reflected her fun side – we had a claw-foot tub filled with pillows that was a favorite reading spot, a loft complete with a ladder, also a coveted place for reading, and a rainbow painted on one wall. There was also Sr. Gertrude, whom I loved dearly. There was Sr. Eileen – another strict but fair teacher. And then, there was Sr. Joan. I think we all had a healthy fear of her at the time. Looking back, I see that she held us all to a high standard and had expectations for us that we didn’t think we could reach, but often did. But make no mistake about it, she was a disciplinarian.
For the record, I never had my hands slapped with a ruler!
Today’s Catholic school teachers, at least at St. Mary’s, are all lay people. Nuns are a rarity these days, but the commitment they had to faith-based learning remains. What also remains is a dedication to knowing each child and each family beyond academics. Students there feel like they are part of a family and are taught about character, doing what’s right, helping one another and lessons beyond MCAS. Students learn about current events and are encouraged to form and voice their own opinion.
I look back fondly at my time there and hope families will explore the possibilities for their child’s education at St. Mary’s.
