Over the years at Wilmington Friends, there have been many amazing teachers who affect their students’ lives in great ways. Teachers at Wilmington Friends are always hard working and dedicated to their subjects. We are sad to see four of our devoted high school teachers leave the school after this academic year. All of the teachers that are leaving this year are leaving behind great legacies and will be sincerely missed.

Steve Jennings, a math teacher at Friends, is retiring after the 2014-2015 school year.  On the topic of math, Jennings says, “I was in ninth grade when I realized that I wanted to become a math teacher because I could explain what we were learning at the time better than the teacher could.” When asked about some of his favorite memories of teaching at Friends, he recounts the times he spent  discussing mathematics with curious students and fellow teacher Ildiko Miller. Jennings shares what he will be doing during his retirement: “I am looking forward to spending time with my wife, children, and grandchildren, and also hope to be able to play more golf and tennis.” All of the students at Friends will miss Jennings, and wish him well in whatever may come his way after his time here.

Behnaz Varamini, WFS Spanish teacher and Service Coordinator, is also planning on leaving Friends after this spring. Varamini shares about when she began teaching at Friends: “I wanted the language classes that I taught to be fun, engaging, and structured for all of my students.” She says that, although she wanted her students to respect her, she also wanted them to know that she was someone they could trust and talk to. Varamini also enjoyed helping with the Service Committee and seeing how doing service can help a student grow and learn. She loved working with the Boys and Girls Club: Mike’s Team, and seeing how all of the students changed after their experiences mentoring the children. After leaving, Varamini will be attending Stony Brook University in Long Island to obtain her PhD in Spanish Literature, after a taking a semester to tour Asia and Europe with her fiancé. We at Friends wish her well in all of her travels, and for continued success with her career and studies.

Scott Rhodewalt, an Upper School Peace and U.S. History teacher, is retiring from the school after this academic year as well. When Rhodewalt first began teaching at Friends, he was very excited about returning to another Quaker school, as he had taught at two others before. “I like the different atmosphere at Quaker schools, and I’ll miss being able to walk into school and feel the difference,” Rhodewalt comments, “I like being able to work with students and teachers with similar feelings and outlooks as me.” When asked about his favorite memory at Friends, Rhodewalt shares: “I really enjoyed watching the growth of my students throughout the year of my teaching them.” For example, he enjoyed discussing India towards both the beginning and end of the year to see how students’ viewpoints changed. He refers to it as a “crescendo” throughout the year. After he leaves Friends, he says, “I am excited to be able to reconnect with my family in New England. My wife and I are looking forward to being ‘righteous troublemakers.’” Everyone at Friends wishes him utmost happiness in his future endeavors.

Lastly, after only a year at our school, Kate Zipin has positively touched many people’s lives. One of her students, Lizzie Kane ’18, says: “Ms. Zipin is a great teacher, but it’s the energy she brings into the classroom that makes everyone want to do well and pay attention during classes.” When she began teaching, Zipin’s goal was to expand her students’ knowledge of chemistry, as well as her own mastery of it, as this was her very first year teaching it. Zipin expresses that she has enjoyed getting to know all of her advisees and students this year, and that she will miss them greatly when she leaves. She explains, “Each of my classes had a different personality, and I really enjoyed being involved in everything.” After she leaves Friends, Zipin is excited to dedicate more time towards her spiritual journey in Florida. Zipin will be missed, and we at Wilmington Friends wish her well and hope that her journey is very rewarding.

Each teacher has left some sort of mark on the school and will not be forgotten by their students. They have led inspiring lives here at Friends, and we expect them to continue to impact everyone they meet and help. WFS wants to wish you all the best, and know that you will be dearly missed by all.