GCS teachers (2020)

The influence of teachers on their students is indisputable. Over the course of thirteen years, we GCS students absorbed many lessons and facts, endured tests, developed a network of friends, encountered others similar and dissimilar to us, beamed when praised, were satisfied when gaining an insight, developed a sense of self, and learned life lessons from our teachers.  A few of us even became friends with some of them. 

Although we may not have realized it at the time, teachers have the power to change their students' lives for the better. We now better understand the many efforts our teachers made for us.

Despite GCS being located in a rural area, we were fortunate to have an impressive roster of teachers with a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities to educate us.  The best teachers realized there was more to working with students than methods and techniques. The connections they developed with us students could brighten our day and inspire us to create an exciting future for ourselves. These teachers were the bridge from our everyday affairs to the goals we set ourselves for what lay ahead. These teachers knew that their labors would not bear fruit for ten, twenty, perhaps even forty years in the future. Their expertise gave us the ability to think critically, throw back a question, engage in peer teaching, and know where to look and not just what to see.  They reinforced love of community, what it means to be a good citizen, and the importance of our shared history. This prepared us for the adult world and shaped us for what was to come next.

In a departure from the tradition of recognizing individual community members, the Greenville Local History Group, for its 2020 calendar, chose to recognize one of the most influential groups in our lives—the teachers of Greenville Central School, from its organization of the early 1930s to the present day.

This calendar recognizes twenty-three individuals who epitomized the best qualities of being a teacher, as determined by feedback from GLHG members and an enthusiastic Facebook posting asking for input. Several dozen more teachers were cited for their influence, but not everyone could be included due to the restrictions of calendar production. 

 F. May Shaw 1931-1970 Mathematics

--- Carol Johannesen Lamb, 1959: I lived around the corner from Miss Shaw. She would pick me up on the way to school for early morning extra help in math. And she was my Sunday school teacher. She was the best math teacher ever, as well as a friend.

--- Philip "Flip" Flach, 1966: My memory of her is the dedication of spending her lunch in the room with kids needing extra help (me, at times) on one side of her and a peanut butter sandwich in her other hand

 Muriel Wooster 1932-1969 U.S. History

--- Edna Ingalls Huffman, 1958: She was strict as a teacher but when correcting a student she had a dry sense of humor to get the message across.

--- Philip "Flip" Flach, 1966: She is an unforgettable classic… made learning fun and interesting with her antics.  Her favorite saying when you didn't know an answer when called upon but said "I can't remember" was: “Spit into the wind, it will all come back to you"... will never forget her! 

Eberhard “Ed” Volmar 1970-1999 English

--- Bill Youngs, 1974: Mr. Volmar challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and made me realize that I was capable of more than I thought. I will always be thankful for that. I also enjoyed his good natured teasing!

--- Kathy Turon Kieffer, 1980: Ed Volmar truly cared about instructing students in a manner that pushed them to reach their fullest potential. In the late 1970s, he was the first teacher to organize student trips to NYC see first-quality plays on Broadway. He even led a trip to England and Scotland - which I believe was a first for GCS. 

 William Ransom 1969-1999 Agriculture

--- Glenna Teator Ryan, 1988: Mr. Ransom was a true inspiration for his students due to his motivational, unbiased, supportive and fun approach to teaching and to life.

--- Christy Bensen Charise, 1997: Beyond a teacher, Bill Ransom was a friend, advocate, inspiration and true blessing to GCS.  His presence alone compelled action, while his relentless prodding, always humorous and warm, unveiled unique gifts within others.  His unwavering dedication enabled student learning beyond the classroom: bolstering self-confidence, encouraging contribution, and ensuring pride in a job well done.  Thousands of students, hundreds of leaders, dozens of state officers… immeasurable impact.

 Mary Lou (Cusack) Birk 1955-1989 Spanish

--- Audrey Hynes, 1981: Marylou Birk used her love of Spanish and of life to create a highly interactive and engaging classroom dynamic where everyone was welcomed. She made each student believe they were special, valued and capable of anything. Mentoring students to become “good people” was the priority, learning Spanish was the bonus!

 Helen Brown 1951-1974 Social Studies / Guidance

--- Robert Meringolo, 1966: Helen Brown was more than a good teacher. She was kind, thoughtful and funny and carried herself with a grace that served as an example.

 Robert Tyrrell 1949-1975 Music, HS Principal 1975-1982

--- Kathy Turon Kieffer, 1980: Mr. Tyrrell simply was GCS! He truly dedicated his life to the students. Bob was a commanding presence in the high school both as a music teacher (band conductor) and High School Principal. He earned the respect of students, staff and the community. As a teacher his goal was to improve our skills as musicians both as individuals and as a whole ensemble. As principal, that goal broadened to working to make all students feel success both in and out of the classroom.

 Leonard “Red” Sutton 1968-1993 Elementary 

Kerry Volmar Houlihan, 1992: Mr. Sutton could bring learning to life like no other, with that big voice and even bigger heart! 

 Art Thorman 1976-2011 Social Studies

--- Nate Teator, 1998: Mr. Thorman was a history performer.  He made the story as funny and relatable as anyone could; a teaching stage that extended to the far ends of school property.

 Charles Welden 1966-1994 Science

--- Katie Arel, 1998: With his dedicated passion for his subject base, Mr. Welden engaged each and every student of every interest and knowledge level the same. Nobody was ever left behind or made to feel any less than another, and even the most mundane assignments and projects were captivating and enticing.

 Ron Frantz 1971-1980, 1993-2007; Social Studies

--- Angela Mauriello, 1998: Mr Frantz was quick-witted and always leveled with his students. He appreciated and encouraged students to think for themselves, and even his punishments were fun. If we were late to class or forgot our homework, he made us go outside, and roll down the hill that was right outside of his classroom window. His easy disposition was a welcome distraction from the pressures of high school.

 Herb Ford 1946-1958 Mathematics; 1958-1964 HS Principal

--- Jerry Adinolfi, 1959: Mister Ford made learning mathematics fun, understandable, and relevant to our everyday world. From the simplest of geometric figures to the most complex of equations, his teaching method was conducive to learning and growth for a wide variety of secondary students.”

 James “Coach” MacTavish 1956-1987 Physical Education

--- Philip "Flip" Flach, 1966: Gym can be a tough class when one is overweight, far from agile and athletic, but he was never judgmental, always encouraging, and dedicated to the best for the kids... also his infamous soccer shout during a game: "be there!" when the ball was in flight. 

 Gail (DeBonis) Richmond 1978-2012 Music

--- Angela Mauriello, 1998: Gail Richmond dedicated many years of her life to teaching at Greenville, and even after retirement she continues to fight tirelessly to make sure that students, as well as teachers are informed and treated fairly. Her joy at seeing children thrive and succeed is written all over her face when she speaks. She's a shining light to all who had the joy of crossing paths with her whether it was in school or out. 

 Vince Seeley 1971- 2000 Social Studies, Alternative Education

--- Andy Coates, 1980: We can recognize that Vince lives on. He lives on in the example he set. Through his teaching. Through his thoughts. His virtues. His union and community activism. Through his kindness to animals. His deeds will continue touch the lives of others, people whose names we do not know, far into the future. (from Elegy for Mr. Seeley, 1948-2006: 9/17/2006)

 Eli Shapiro 1970-2002 Business

--- Lorrie Flannery Spinner, 1973: Eli made it easy to be in his class, do your work, have a few laughs, and laugh at yourself too, which taught us it was OK to be human.

 Bonnie Persico 1984-2014 Elementary

--- Sarah Eron, with Class of 2000: Bonnie Persico was the first teacher to shape my identity as a writer. Her incorporation of the "Writer's Workshop" at the elementary school level was innovative and ahead of its time. For Bonnie, the practice of writing was more than an elementary school subject. It was a way of cultivating community, craft, and individual expressiveness. I'll never forget working with Bonnie on my first book project over the summer, long after classes had ended. It was then, at that young age, that I truly became the writer I am today. 

 Henrietta Rice 1956-1971 Elementary-Rensselaerville

--- Rose Kuhar, 1968: Mrs. Rice took on the challenge of having students in grades 1-3 in one classroom where her love of learning gave me and my classmates all the fundamentals of education that we would need for the rest of our lives. I remember at age five being a first grader learning to read with Jane, Dick, Sally, Puff and Spot and a copy of this early primer is in my personal library.

 JoAnn Simmons 1990-current Computer Science –

--- Audrey Start Matott, 2003: Mrs. Simmons is a vibrant and compassionate educator; she ensures each child is included and enjoys coming to school.

 Margaret Bogardus 1931-1962 Elementary

--- Tom Baumann, 1958: Margaret Bogardus started teaching in a one room schoolhouse… Her home was like a museum, with files of every major or minor accomplishment that any of her students ever had. 

 Gretchen (Straub) Coyner 1984-2009 Guidance

--- Heather Murphy Zacchio, 2001: Mrs. Coyner made it a point to know her students individually, taking time to accentuate their strengths. This helped to influence and motivate me to be where I am today.

 Linda Davies 1969-2006 English, Gifted & Talented

--- Gretchen Burmeister, with Class of 1974:

Mrs. Davies was extremely important in my early life as a student. She allowed us to be ourselves and supported us to develop our strengths and talents. One of her gifts was how attentive and encouraging she was. She truly cared. I speak for many students in saying that Mrs. Davies made a huge difference in our educational experience.

 Muriel (Harding) Falkey 1946-1976 Business

--- Eberhard “Ed” Volmar, 1966; Mrs. Falkey had a unique ability to recognize her students’ needs and abilities and worked diligently to help prepare them to become productive members of the work force and responsible citizens.