At the Region 18 Board of Education meeting last Wednesday evening, six teachers who were retiring at the end of the current school year were acknowledged in front of a standing room only audience. But these were not a group of teachers who had spent just their twilight years in Old Lyme, but rather teachers who had given their life’s work to the district serving, in most cases, well over 30 years.
Marlene Estabrooks joined the high school in the 1980s and, as its current principal, Jim Wygonik, noted she has pretty much experienced “the lifecycle of the building.” Estabrooks had taught classics at the high school and during her tenure, Wygonik estimated she had taught Latin to over 3,000 students. Describing her as the “consummate professional,” Wygonik noted that, such is her passion for the subject, she frequently spends her summers on archaeological digs in Greece. He concluded emphatically, “There is no replacing Marlene.”
Turning his attention to Athletic Director Rob Roach, Wygonik mentioned first that the New London Day had recently aptly labeled him, ‘Mr. Old Lyme.’ Wygonik continued by saying that Roach really had been the “lifeblood of Lyme-Old Lyme sports for over three decades,” noting, “There isn’t an award he hasn’t received.”
While at Old Lyme, Roach had managed to achieve not only a greater than 50 percent participation rate in extra-curricular sports by the students – an extraordinarily high percentage – but also had served as a “pioneer of girls’ soccer” in the state.
Wygonik mentioned that he had become aware as he visited schools in Connecticut that it was crystal clear there was a universal, “genuine respect” among coaches and athletic directors for Roach, who had successfully located, “multiple offsite venues,” during the extended period of school construction in order that school sports program might continue. Saying he really could not put a number on the students whose lives Roach had impacted, Wygonik noted that Roach, who was an outstanding All-American athlete in his youth, had served as a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal during his years in the district.
Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Principal Chris Pomroy opened his comments about retiring school counselor Don Desautels with the words, “They just don’t make them like they used to …” Describing him as “an icon,” Pomroy continued, “I just don’t know how many lives he has touched with his influence and inspiration,” adding, “Don is an amazing counselor, who is regularly visited by students, who see him as an outlet.” He commended Desautel’s true passion for his job over his more than 30-year tenure, which has not only involved teaching and counseling, but also serving as the extremely successful coach of the high school girls’ soccer team, which brought home two state championships under him.
Pomroy closed by wishing Desautels, “Congratulations on your retirement …” adding with a chuckle, “… and condolences to your wife!”
Then Pomroy turned to science teacher Richard LaVecchia, who has been with the district some 40 years. Describing him as a “timeless” member of the faculty, Pomroy said that LaVecchia also has touched thousands of student lives with his “boundless energy … and sense of humor.” Noting that LaVecchia rarely sits during classes he is teaching, Pomroy commented that students seek out LaVecchia for help and guidance. To ripples of laughter from other members of the middle school faculty present, Pomroy also thanked LaVecchia for being “an integral member” of the middle school team giving “frequent and ongoing” input to all matters under discussion in the school.
Director of Special Services Nancy Johnston then introduced Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Psychologist Barbara Fitzpatrick, noting that Fitzpatrick has “successfully served for over a quarter of a century,” in Region 18 Schools and had been, “a visible person everywhere.” Johnston had asked several of her colleagues to say what they remembered and would miss most about Fitzpatrick and the answers came back remarkably similar. Words like, “soft-spoken, kind, gentle, caring and supportive,” were all repeated over and over again. One staff member recalled she had never heard Fitzpatrick say, “a harsh, angry word,” while another said, “She was always there for us,” and a third extolled her “steady patience.” Apart from all these characteristics, Johnston mentioned another skill for which Fitzpatrick was renowned – her baking prowess, for which she will be universally missed!
Center School teacher Kevin Cole has served a total of 38 years in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools, “18 years and eight months in the middle school and 19 years and two months at Center School,” according to Center School Principal Ellen Tyler, who said she had known him variously during that time as a “parent, colleague and principal.” She continued, “Kevin has worked diligently for every single day,” noting, “he is one of the most talented, caring and hard-working teachers I have known.” Tyler noted that much of Cole’s work is unseen, arriving early to see a parent, staying late to help a colleague, and “quietly coming to a new principal to tell her how to handle a prickly situation.”
The new teacher evaluation plan had clearly evoked considerable comment from Cole to the extent that Tyler had created a sample one for his retirement. She presented it to much laughter with target percentages including development in his role as a retiree along with whole family and retired teacher indices.
Saying he would be much missed, Tyler concluded by wishing Cole, “much health and happiness … and an exemplary retired husband rating!”
Mile Creek Principal Patricia Downes spoke warmly of retiring elementary school tutor Linda Stannard, who she described as, “a critical part of an extremely successful team.” Downes noted that Stannard was, “deeply committed to her students … and passionate about learning.” A special gift that Downes had identified about her colleague was that she was a, “wizard at scheduling,” something Downes said would be especially missed by the principal’s office.
After saying she would miss her dearly, Downes concluded simply, “Thank you for committing your professional life to Mile Creek School.”
Congrats to you all and thank you for your decades of commitment. As a proud LOLHS graduate, I’m honored to say I had the honor to be taught by 5 of these outstanding educators. However, I think Mrs. Estabrook’s start date maybe incorrect as I graduated in 1990 and I had her as a teacher!
Why would that be wrong, they said she started in the 80’s, I loved her Latin class and her collection of jewelry, it was awesome!!! I loved attending state Latin day!!!
Thanks Jennifer! We’ll get the correct start date for Mrs. Estabrooks tomorrow … unless anyone out there can tell us today!
Mr Roach is a fantastic teacher one of the few who stick out in my mind, I graduated with the class of 1988 and Mr Roach help me get into the Marine Corps which was really the jumping off point for the rest of my career. Today I am a high school teacher in Las Vegas Nevada. thanks Mr Roach I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.
Am so glad to hear of the long success of “Dad” Roach, who bravely took our class to Washington DC by train. I still remember sitting in his civics class in the late 70’s……..
Best of luck to him and all others who love our kids enough to give their lives for them.
Oh my goodness. I am so glad I saw this. What a remarkable group of people! Mr. Roach is an amazing man and teacher. Mr. Destaules your were there for all of my siblings and I years later and retiring now. You were the best and I wish you the very best! Mrs. Fitzpatrick you helped me so many times and I appreciated you so much! Mrs. Estabrooks I don’t think I had you for a teacher but your kindness meant allot. I wish all of you the very best in your new journeys! Thank you all for making my school life great!
An amazing group of teachers. I had the privilege of learning from several of them. A gifted group of educators. I wish them all great happiness, and some peace and quiet, in their retirement.
Congrats on all of your retirements! I’m proud to say that I had most of these teachers at one point or another and all were exceptional teachers and even better people. Thank you!
@ Charlotte. I originally wrote that Mrs. Estabrooks started in 1992 but, as Jennifer pointed out, that had to be incorrect because she was taught by Mrs. E and graduated in 1990. I changed it to the 1980s after receiving Jennifer’s email.
What a great article! It was so nice to see faces I haven’t seen since graduating high school in 1981. I was in Don Desautel’s sixth grade class (maybe his first year?) and still have such fun memories. Congratulations to all of you!!
Congrats to all on your retirement you where all gerat mentors and teachers to all the kids in lyme and Old Lyme
CONGRATS to Mr Roach and Kevin Cole and all of the other amazing teachers who have served LOL schools. Kevin took his sister and one of my best friends, Abby Ann, and me to our very FIRST concert ever – the Doobie Brothers! Thanks, Kevin! And Mr Roach nurtured and coached me at Park & Rec as a participant and then as a teacher for years. Mr Roach – even though you wanted me to play soccer, and I chose tennis and track instead, I’m pleased to let you know that I’m captain of my middle-aged ladies 4.0 tennis team here in Park City, Utah and a regular runner. From our small little town, so many have gone on to lead happy and healthy adult lives, much in part to your inspiration. Thank you, and congrats on your retirements! There’s great fly fishing out here in Park City … hint, hint. You’re always welcome.
Kristen Gould Case (class of 80, LOLHS)
Saw this article today..and wanted to say amazing! All of these teachers that we had the chance to study with back in the 80’s!! All of you made such an impact on us..so glad that so many other classes have had the chance to have those same great experiences! Best wishes as you embark on your next Great Adventure……(we’re it not for that Latin class…I would not have been able to read my college diploma…so YES..I did get to use the Latin I learned at LOLHS in real life!!)
What a nice tribute to all of these teachers. I am a proud alum of Center School where I had Mr. LaVechhia in 5th grade and Mr. Desautels for gym. I’m also a proud alum of LOLHS where I was lucky enough to have have Mr. Roach. I have aged:~\ How did these 3 escape the same fate:~[? They created positive memories for hundreds/thousands (?) of students and look fabulously happy. Enjoy your retirement, gentlemen!
Wow, The memories. I can still remember being in Mr. LeVecchia class. It was one of my favotite classes in middle school. 40 years! Quite a legacy!
Coach Roach and Mrs. Estabrooks too! everything will be different now at LOLHS
Incredible photos of some incredible people and memories. Thanks is not nearly enough for the hard work and dedication for our family members. Eternally grateful for the dignity, professionalism, inspiration and plain old fun. God Bless.
Congratulations to all! As an alum of Center School, Middle school and the high school (class of 1999) I also had many of these wonderful teachers and role models including Mr. Cole, Mr. Roach, and Mr D. Thanks for all your dedication and hard work over the years. Enjoy your retirement!
Congratulations to all the retiring faculty. I was a student of many of your classes and can scarcely believe it is retirement time. I can also hardly believe I graduated 26 years ago! (1987). My best to you all. But I’d like to say a special thanks to my 6th grade homeroom (and science) teacher Mr. LaVecchia. You made a big impact on me with your caring and kindness. Whenever I see stories being told about a teacher who touched your life, I think of you. Thank you.
I hope you all have many peaceful and fun filled years of retirement.
To have known most if not all of these truly wonderful people during my years as a past Board of Ed member but to me even more fulfilling was my time along side Don Desutels during most of his years as he Varsirty Girls Soccer Coach. To be a part of his coahing staff was one of my greatest experiences in my 85 years of life. To this day we remain the closest of friends. it was thrilling to retire as girls soccer coaches as we won the State Championship in 2009. Thanks “D” for putting up with this old guyl. For Rich L. I will always remember him as my daughters teacher. My profound appreciation to all for thier outstanding service to the town I so CHERISH.
Mait
PS. Sorry Rob for not including you above as you were simply awesome both as the AD and as an Educator. You were very much a part of my coaching days with the Girls Soccer, Softball and LaCrosse teams and I thank you for that.
What an amazing group of teachers – it is for sure the end of an era. The years of playing soccer for Coach Roach and Coach Desautels are still fresh in my mind for how fun they were and for how much they taught us about teamwork and working for success. I just found the rap lyrics recently that they wrote for our ceremony one of those years! Great teachers transcend generations – those acts of kindness, compassion, and wisdom get sprinkled down through us to our kids and hopefully continue. I have three girls, and all love soccer, just like I did. Thank you Coach Roach, Mr. D, and Mr. Cole too – for all of the laughter, and the learning.
I had the great honor of having Rob Roach as a soccer coach as well as a teacher – and boss when I worked as a Park and Rec. lifeguard. I have had the further priviledge of working with all of these people – as I am now a teacher in the system. As remarkable as they all seem to those students whose lives they have touched, they are even more amazing than anyone knows as colleagues and friends. I will miss all of you! (Especially my after teacher dinner buddies – and you know who you are!)
Did not see this until now. Great bunch of teachers. Was luck to have Me D. as a teacher twice. Thank for teaching me how to read a map. I know my husband especially appreciates it.