by Jack Snow
Health and physical education teacher Wendy Sweet will be retiring at the end of this year.
Sweet has been working at HHS as a physical education teacher for over 18 years. Starting as a part-time dance teacher, Sweet has taught a variety of courses ranging from basic physical education to yoga and even dance. During the majority of that time, she has worked alongside teachers Carolyn Weed and Dee Grassey.
Weed and Grassey first started teaching with Sweet somewhere around 15 years ago; both have seen first-hand how dedicated and caring Sweet is as a teacher and colleague.
“She has a way of personally connecting with her students on a deeper level than most teachers,” says Weed. “She is especially able to include and engage her special needs students in a way that is wonderful and inspiring to see. Working with Wendy is wonderful. She is one of the most caring people I know, and she makes me laugh almost every day. She is always willing to give you an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. She is like my ‘work mom.’”
Like Weed, Grassey has enjoyed working with her.
“Wendy is caring, kind, talented, and a great communicator who loves life,” says Grassey . “She has taught me a lot.”
Their time spent collaborating with Sweet has always been filled with new and exciting adventures.
“She always makes me laugh,” Grassey says. “Going to conferences with Wendy is always a blast especially when she tries to teach me how to dance; I still can not dance, but that’s ok. We also taught a yoga class together, which was an awesome experience.”
The news of Sweet’s retirement was met with only the sincerest happiness from both Weed and Grassey; although upset at having to see their friend go, they expect nothing but great things from her as she progresses into the next chapter in her life.
Beyond physical education, faculty members from other departments have also expressed their reaction to Sweet’s retirement.
Director of Health, Nursing, and Safety Jenny Gormley has served as Sweet’s supervisor for a number of years and has observed her classes. Gormley says that she will miss having Sweet on staff, as she has been an essential member of Hudson’s physical education program.
“Ms. Sweet conveys caring and understanding of the whole student and his or her challenges, while maintaining high expectations for students learning strategies that support physical and emotional well-being,” says Gormley. “ I will miss Ms. Sweet’s reflective and thoughtful approach to providing a quality wellness program to HHS students.”
Principal Brian Reagan has also expressed his thoughts, looking back and appreciating the contributions she has made to the physical education department.
“Since the development of the wellness program, [Sweet] has continued to incorporate yoga, but she has helped her colleagues learn to implement some of the techniques as well,” says Reagan. “Mrs. Sweet is very passionate about her work and truly cares about her students. After so many years of hard work supporting students in Hudson, I wish her a healthy and happy retirement.”
Even as Sweet plans to move on from her work at HHS, one thing is certain; her legacy will always live on. Through her introductions to new areas of physical wellness to her bright, welcoming smile, Sweet has changed the face of Hudson High School and will always be remembered as an incredible teacher, colleague and friend.
