by Angela Themes
Angela Themes taught with Wendy Rich at Mulready Elementary School and Hudson High School before retiring in 2006.
Wendy Rich is a quiet teacher. She does not beat her own drum. She does so many things quietly that no one knows about.
Wendy quietly helps each of her students as well as any student in the classroom. She helps each of them in the way it is needed. For some students, it is help with their classwork; for others, it is emotional support. Her students remember her for years. She is still receiving phone calls from students whose lives she has changed.
Wendy quietly writes letters home to parents. Wendy has been writing notes and calling parents before “parent communication” became the thing to do.
She gave her home phone number to parents before there were cell phones or email. The parents of her students knew they could call her at any time – and they did!
Wendy quietly buys books and supplies for students who cannot afford to buy them. Look at classrooms at Mulready School or the preschools, and you will find books that she has donated.
Wendy quietly works with her fellow teachers. In regular ed classrooms, she follows the lead of the teacher. In special ed classrooms, she shows support staff what is needed. With fellow special ed teachers, she is the ultimate collaborator.
Now it is time to not be quiet. Now is the time to celebrate Wendy’s contribution to the Hudson Public Schools. It is certain that she will find new ways to quietly keep connections with former students and colleagues as well as find new ways to enjoy retirement.