Mont Pleasant High School - Montaneer Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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Mr. C. Harold McKee Miss Florence Karlen Retirements: Leaving After Many We would like to take time out to express our grati- tude to those teachers who are retiring from Mont Pleasant this June. Writing this page is one of our most difficult tasks, mainly because it is always difficult to say good-bye. Miss Karlen, Mr. McKee, and Miss Walsh have been with us for many years at Mont Pleasant, and have become close friends to the many students who have walked through Mont Pleasant's doors. Now it is time for these teachers to leave through these same doors. Because merely saying Thank-you would never dem- onstrate our true appreciation and warm feelings toward these generous people, we feel that maybe this panegyric will more fully express our sentiments. Mr. McKee has been a member of Mont Pleasant's faculty for thirty-two years. During this time, he has taught technical machine shop practice for eight periods a day. His outside interests include hunting, fishing, boating and photography. In past years, many senior graduation pic- tures have been taken by him. Among Mr. McKee's alma maters are Oswego State College, Albany State Teachers’ College, and Union Col- lege. Because Mr. McKee has devoted so very much time to his work here at Mont Pleasant, we hope that in the future he will have more leisure for personal interests. Miss Karlen, the chairman of the Business Educatior Department for the past five years, has graduated from Plattsburg Normal School, secured her Master's Degree in Business Education at State Teachers' College, Albany, and has done extra graduate work at Columbia University, University of Wisconsin, and Syracuse University. Before coming to Mont Pleasant when it opened in 1931, Miss Karlen taught in the former Schenectady High School. She has seen and marveled at the yearly growth of Mont Pleasant from a new building without an athletic field, fences, trees, or the art and paintings, into the fine school it is today. While she has taught in our Business Department for over thirty years, her contributions have not been confined to teaching. Miss Karlen was dean of several classes, presi- dent of the Faculty Club, and a member of the Athletic Council. She is currently the sponsor of the Commercial Club. Besides serving our school, Miss Karlen has also re- ceived considerable recognition in the community because she is a charter member and officer of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers' Association and has also served as representative on the Liaison Committee. Adding to her already busy schedule is her work as a member of the A.A.U.W., the National Business Teachers' Association, and the Catholic Book Associates. She commented on her retirement by saying, I shall miss all my good friends of the faculty and I hope that all 10

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Miss Isabel Jarvis, Counselor Mr. John Gregory, Counselor Mr. Richard Grinned, Counselor Guidance: A Continuing Service The Guidance Department at Mont Pleasant is set up in such a way as to be of the most use to students,’’ out-of-school youths, and anyone else who may have need of its facilities. Whenever a pupil feels that he needs to obtain some help or discuss a problem, the counselors are always available. In addition to the counselors, there are also now available at Mont Pleasant a social worker and a psychologist. To help guide the students, the counse- lors have personal interviews which are sup- plemented by tests to determine the stu- dents' abilities and vocational preferences. Guidance does not stop its usefulness for a pupil when he graduates. Any time a graduate needs an evaluation or letters of recommendation to enter college or obtain a job, he may ask the Guidance Department to supply them. This year the Guidance Department is set up in a new way: Each counselor is re- sponsible for one-fourth of each class. Secretary Mr. Curter Quick, Counselor Miss Dorothy Barnowski instructs freshmen as to the procedure used for registra- tion at M.P.H.S. 9

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Miss Margaret Walsh Pleasant Seasons my pupils of these past forty years will continue to have success and happiness. A teacher in Schenectady for over twenty-five years, Miss Margaret Walsh began at McKinley Junior High School and, in 1937, joined the Mont Pleasant staff. Since then, she has served five times as a class dean and in 1955 became the chairman of our English Department. Always eager to learn and participate, Miss Walsh was a consultant in the State Education Department Regents Examinations, a charter member of the Schenectady Teachers Federation, and an officer of the English Advisory Council. A student of Latin, Greek, and English, Miss Walsh graduated B.A. and M.A. from Albany State Teachers' College. In addi- tion, she completed graduate work at Columbia University, Fordham University, the University of Colorado, and the University of Wisconsin. Miss Walsh's ability for leadership was complemented by her sympathetic and understanding nature. Known for her pleasantness, cooperation, and ladylike manner, she was liked and respected by both students and faculty. The teachers that were under Miss Walsh remember her especially as being a person who was never too busy to take time out and was always there to offer aid and guid- ance. Her students will always carry with them the bits of wisdom and lessons toward good living that they took out of her class. The Business Club officers of 1958 discuss a future activity as Miss Karlen smiles approvingly. Latin Club of 1956 poses as Mr. McKee snaps the shutter. Mis, Walsh, do you remember when you led a discussion of the language Arts Committee in 1949? II