trevordayschool

Retirements BARBARA WOLF-DORLESTER Lower School Psychologist by Jean Kosky BERT MCCUTCHEON Grades 9–12 History Teacher and Advisor by Joseph Ulitto 0 6 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L ■ S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 – 2 0 1 8 Congratulations on completing 20 years of excellence in teaching at Trevor— an even more impressive accomplishment given the fact you did so after 25 years as a dedicated and respected teacher for the Anchorage public school system. Historian, mentor, coach, union representative, department chair, classroom teacher, advisor—in all these roles, you devoted your professional life to educating, enlightening, and challenging young minds. You have exhibited expertise, wisdom, compassion, and integrity. Your students have learned how I will never forget the first time I met Barbara. My teaching associate had requested some advice about a sweet boy who seemed reluctant to speak with adults. Try as we might, we could not engage him. During one of our guided reading periods, Barbara walked into our classroom. We continued with class—the students barely registering Barbara's presence. As I would later learn, this was only one of Barbara's extraordinary gifts. Children accepted her presence in the classroom as reassuring and natural. ey instinctively knew that Barbara was there to assist and nurture both students and teachers. to think and write critically, how to analyze past events on their own terms— and in light of present realities—how to engage respectfully and dynamically in rich discussions of both historical and current events. For your colleagues, you have been a model of truthfulness, effective teaching, and commitment. Serious about the study of history and your role as a scholar of American history, you also learned how to laugh with your students— and at yourself, this being a mark of a truly confident and humble person. You are one of the dearest friends I will ever have. I am thrilled that you can retire and move on to other things. You leave Trevor loved, respected, and with a bundle of wishes for a fabulous post-retirement life. Barbara sat down next to this student and within minutes she was quietly conversing with our young, reluctant learner. ey chatted away, even giggling. I will never forget the look on my associate's face; we were both dumbfounded. My associate dubbed Barbara THE WOLF, the highest of compliments coming from our classroom. Needless to say, our quiet boy slowly blossomed into an engaged learner. Barbara has worked that same magic for many students and teachers over the years. Trevor is blessed to have had her wisdom, honesty, and professionalism for so long. And, I am doubly blessed to call her a trusted and treasured friend. Happy retirement, Barbara!

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