Mrs. McCartney to Retire After 32 Years of Teaching Students to Stay Positive
Mrs. McCartney to Retire After 32 Years of Teaching Students to Stay Positive
By KEI BROWN, Class of 2020
Mrs. McCartney is a beloved math teacher at THS, and she will be retiring at the end of May. The Tribune did a Q & A with her as she nears her last day teaching.
Q: How long have you been a teacher?
A: This is my 32nd and FINAL year : ) It’s taken me 50 years to finally leave school! Starting with kindergarten to now – oh my!
Q: When did you know that you wanted to become a teacher?
A: In junior high, I had the most awesome physical education teachers that I wanted to model. I also had a very hard-to-understand math teacher and thought I wanted to help students learn more than she helped me! I graduated from BGSU with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Mathematics. I coached volleyball 4 years in Hamilton.
Q: What motivated you to become a high school teacher?
A: I taught at a middle school and Hamilton for 12 years (Go Garfield). It was great. I moved to Oxford and was looking for a school closer to home- I worked at Ross High School for a year and enjoyed the change of ages. After that year, I came to Talawanda. High school students are just taller middle school kids!!
Q: What is your favorite unit to teach and why?
A: I LOVE PROOF in Geometry. I think because it is challenging for most students and I try my best to help make it easier to understand. The Transformations unit is fun also because I love to quilt and there are so many awesome “quilt patterns” we use to rotate, reflect and slide.
Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment as a teacher?
A: I truly do not like calling students by the wrong name!! Whether it’s an older sibling or just the wrong name.
Q: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: Seeing my students succeed, greeting everyone as they come into the class, and answering questions to help learn the content.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a teacher?
A: Being able to teach multiple siblings over the years, working alongside former students who are now teachers themselves and having such an awesome math department to work with.
Q: What will you miss most about Talawanda?
A: The daily interaction with the most amazing students and staff in Butler County.
Q: Do you have any advice for high school students?
A: Be yourself, be proud of your work and keep a positive attitude. Always find something good to say to at least one new person each day.
Q: Do you have any advice for current and/or prospective teachers?
A: Find joy in your work, be kind to yourself, find a balance in work and family.
Q: How has the COVID-19 school shutdown affected your last year at Talawanda both logistically and emotionally?
A: I miss my students….bottom line. I love them all as if they were my own. This not so techo teacher has improved her online skills though. That has been a positive.
Q: What do you plan on doing after retirement?
A: My husband and I plan to travel when all gets back to “normal”. We now have 3 grandkids and the newest lives in Columbus. We will travel to Columbus. I have a half-marathon to run in Florida with my daughter in November so I’ll be training. I have enough material to sew a WHOLE BUNCH of quilts – I will not be idle very much!!!
Thank you Mrs. McCartney for your service to Talawanda students — you have taught us more than math and we are so thankful. Congratulations on your retirement!
Mrs. McCartney with her grandchildren.
