Bulldog Times
Letters to Mrs. Houghton: Students Reflect on Retiring Teacher's LegacyThursday, May 10, 2012 By Max Shaps
The following is a collection of letters written by students of retiring Theatre and Drama teacher Roslyn Houghton. Please see the complete article on Houghton entitled Houghton's Unique Dramatic Talent Will Be Sorely Missed. Junior Ian Taulli (Debate Team leader) - “… sitting on the bus and talking about life. I spend more time with her than I do my own mother. Her values and perspective are what I admire, she seemed to have it figured out, and I’d guess that it was all the experience. She taught about people and life, she balanced me out and gave me opportunities to succeed in life, not just school.” Senior Jennifer Romaine - “Mrs. Houghton changed my life so much through high school. She taught me things I never would have learned on my own. She has become one of my biggest role models; one of my heroes. She has always been much more than a teacher to me. I am so lucky and proud to be able to say I was one of her students. I love you Mama Houghton!” Senior Brynn Hicks - “Mrs. Houghton has impacted my life incredibly in the last four years. She’s more than a teacher; she’s a second mother to me. I know that if I needed her to drive across the country, she would. I am so glad I won’t have to go a year without having her in high school. She’s a beautiful person and always makes my day better and gives me honest advice about all sorts of things. I am lucky to have her in my life. I love you Mama Houghton.” Senior Zeanna Rivera (played Mulan in this year's fall theatre production) - “Mrs. Houghton is one of the most amazing loving teachers I have ever had the privilege to have. She isn’t just one of those teachers that makes you sit down and do work. She explains why she is making you do it and makes sure there is always a purpose. She is all of our second mama’s and we all love her. My one and only regret is that I only had one year with her although it was wonderful. I am still longing for more learning experience with her! Love you Mrs. Houghton!” Senior Ashley Perna - “Mrs. Houghton isn’t like any other basic teacher we have at our school. She teaches merely for the joy of teaching. It’s not just a job to her, she enjoys doing everything she does and has such a strong dedication to each and every one of her students. I have personally seen this very dedication for the past three years as a Theatre 1 and Theatre Pro student, which has been the most fun time of my life. She teaches not only theatre but through her I have learned many valuable life skills that I will take with me past high school and into the real world. I hate to see her go, but I know this is what she wants and I know this won’t be the last I see of Mrs. Roslyn Houghton. I love her ‘to the moon and back!’” Senior Justin Lema - “Mrs. Houghton has been a huge influence in my life. I never thought I would enjoy being in theatre so much either. You don’t just memorize lines and goof off. It’s more than that. Mrs. Houghton made it more than that. She made a family. She made a class that teaches you about life. And I can guarantee that I will take more from her than what I have learned from any other teacher. I will miss her so much, but I know that she will always be with me. Always standing in the circle with us no matter what.” |