Macdonald says farewell to special education department
With the multitude of classrooms and faculty members at East, it’s often difficult to give each one equal attention.
Students may have passed special education teacher Sherry Macdonald’s classroom while strolling to their English classes without giving it a second glance. Looking inside that door, however, one would find the chairperson of the department. After 12 years at East, Macdonald is retiring from teaching.
“I began teaching back in Virginia Beach, Virginia in the 60s…before dirt,” Macdonald said.
Her Southern drawl points to her Virginian roots. She was a math teacher before she moved on to teach special education. She did so because she liked the challenge and wanted to help children who struggled.
“I’m blessed with two bright children, so I feel like I have an…obligation [to help],” Macdonald said.
“I like her warm, caring, compassionate nature,” special education teacher Sue Volz said.
Macdonald and her husband, a retired naval aviator, recently bought a house in Williamsburg, Va.
“I’m going to live right on the water and take a canoe and go sit out there every day. I’m not talking to anyone under 21 except for my grandchildren,” Macdonald said.
The couple’s traveling expeditions don’t stop there. They will soon be traveling to New Zealand and Australia. To top that, they will be making the long haul to China for the 2008 Olympics.
As for her teaching, Macdonald enjoys many things about her job. She loves watching students do what they hoped to do and become more independent in doing so.
“The kids always make it interesting, and we have a unique department in that students and staff [are integrated] all day,” Macdonald said.
Physical education and health teacher Ted Marino is especially sorry to see Macdonald go.
“[I will miss] her energy level and the way she communicates with students and teachers that makes for a higher success,” Marino said.
University of Wisconsin graduate Jamie Gilbert will be taking over Macdonald’s teaching position. The department chair position will be split between Volz and Carol Chmielewski. Macdonald is “extremely pleased” with both decisions.
“I will certainly miss the team I work with,” Macdonald said. “There is such a supportive staff and so many talented people under one roof here. I’ve tried to rise to their level and at the end of this I’ll have hopefully elevated my game.”