Harpeth Hall School - Milestones Iris Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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About Education When I first told my father that I wanted to go into the field of education, he reacted with of course you do; teaching is in your blood. I think that he hit the nail on the head — I come from a line of teachers that spans three generations. Yet something other than heredity led me to teaching: rewarding experiences as a student. From Mrs. Stutz ' s second grade to Professor Shi ' s survey of American intellectual history, learning has challenged and excited me. I truly believe that my enthusiasm as a student spurred my career choice. Teaching affords a constant opportunity to continue learning and a challenging opportunity to convey a love ot learning. My new role as both teacher and administrator allows me to reach even more students than I did as strictly a classroom teacher. This position gives me insight into the importance of learning, not just for a small group of students, but for the broader sepctrum of the Harpeth Hall comnmunity. Betsy TurnbuU Assistant to the Headmaster Learning is one of the most exciting and enjoyable activities available to people of any age. My four years as a student at Harpeth Hall introduced me to this pleasure. I remember distinctly the new worlds opened to me by Mrs. Eggleston, my history teacher; my new ability to speak French and sing the Marseillaise, taught us by Madame Fountain; and the struggle but final mastery of Algebra II and Geometry, under the patient and caring tutelage of Mrs. Mann. This love of learning and the fun of being surrounded by learners are the reasons I have chosen the field of education in which to work. My hope is that each student here will leave Harpeth Hall with a special love of learning which will always be for her a source of pleasure which she will in turn pass on to someone else. Susan Baughman College Counselor

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The Administration Talks I grew up in a small town and attended public schools through the eighth grade. At that time my parents presented me with a wonderful opportunity. They sent me to private school. It was a very small school with only six instructors, and most of the facilities were outdated. But the members of the faculty were strong role models for the students, just as they are here at Harpeth Hall. I knew from my first year there that I wanted to teach. I was fortunate, for while many students go to college without having a major career objective in mind, I knew what I wanted to do; and I attribute it all to the wonderful experience I had as a student at an independent school. I have been a teacher, university administrator, and headmaster. There have never been any regrets about my career choice, and I consider myself a very fortunate person. David E. Wood Headmaster Throughout my years as a student I had teachers and professors for whom I had great respect and admiration. These teachers were dedicated to helping their students develop a desire to learn and challenged them to put forth their best effort. I am grateful to them for what they taught me and for helping me realize that no gift is as important as an education. After graduation from Vanderbilt, I wanted to share what I had learned. Too, I wanted to work with people. Teaching afforded this opportunity and immediately I began teaching. Learning does not stop after college. After teaching several years I was employed as a Girl Scout professional worker. The organization provided excellent training in the areas of administration which better prepared me for my work. When Harpeth Hall added the Middle School, I was fortunate to be asked to be its director and elated to be back in the field of education. Working with students and teachers provides the richest and most rewarding experience possible. Polly Fessey Director of Middle School

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Organizing for the Future I cannot pretend that I went into education because of some lofty aspirations; actually, I fell into it by chance. When I attended Sweet Briat College, cateers for women were limited in a way that our Harpeth Hall girls cannot imagine. I was not prepared to work when I graduated, so I returned to Vanderbilt, where I got a Master ' s in English. I married the following summer, and while my husband finished school, I taught English. In the ensuing years I worked off and on, finding that teaching was a great occupation for a full-time mother. A stint in the real estate business and a law office proved to me that the field of education was more suitable to my needs — I could be close to home and my school-aged children. I would never have predicted that I would be doing public relations work for my own alma mater — and enjoying it so much! Susie Brown Director of Alumni There were many factors that influenced my decision to enter the field of education. I grew up in a home where books abounded, and my family valued education. As the oldest of five children, I was always a teacher, many times unintentionally. My high school experience was one that exposed me to faculty members who were dedicated to their profession and who demanded the best from each of their pupils. I attended a highly competitive, academically demanding college where I was surrounded by supportive professors who insisted on the pursuit of excellence. During that time, my career goal was in the area of mathematics, but I never intended to become a math teacher. However, in my junior and senior years I tutored some young students in math. Their enthusiasm and appreciation for what they had learned with my guidance and assistance convinced me that I wanted to be a teacher! Emily Fuller Director of Winterim