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

Page 24 text:

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

Page 23 text:

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

Page 25 text:

Directing Funds: A Full-Time Job Polly Nichols I Peg Herring Mrs. Polly Nichols has contributed to Harpeth Hall as well as Ward-Belmont. A graduate of Ward-Belmont and later the Director of Alumnae Affairs at Harpeth Hall, she became the first permanent Director of Development five years ago. Mrs. Nichol ' s job includes all aspects of fund-raising and public relations to obtain support for the school; her hard work and support are invaluable to Harpeth Hall. A person you may have seen headed for the Coke machine but did not recognize was very likely Miss Herring, Harpeth Hall ' s business manager. Miss Herring ' s job consists of tasks such as setting up the school ' s budget, keeping the school ' s insurance policies in order, and keeping track of personal benefits. Miss Herring says the best part of her job is the people she works with, but she regrets not being able to have much day-to-day contact with the students. As Harpeth Hall ' s accountant, Mrs. Steele deals with the incoming and outgoing funds at Harpeth Hall, including money for tuition and textbooks. Mrs. Steele, a resident of Nashville for seven years, has worked at Harpeth Hall for three years. Previously she has worked in the federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Administration. She says, This is probably the most dedicated group of people I have worked with. People in an academic situation give more of themselves than other people. It ' s nice to work in this atmosphere.