At Saint Stephen’s, some teachers have left, headed off onto new adventures, while others have continued teaching here. Long-time Lower School teacher, Mrs. Jean Hamilton, has been teaching here for already 35 years, while Mrs. Hannah Randall is teaching Spanish in the high school for her first year. Both of these teachers share their experience of teaching either for a long number of years or for the first year.

Mrs. Hamilton began teaching back when the school was still small, barely 200 students. “I was thinking that it would always remain around 200-300 students,” she said. “The thing that has been most unexpected is the growth in the student body, [which is now already more than 700 students]. Also, the amazing development and expansion of the grounds. It looks so different and I never would have expected that,” Hamilton said.  

Mrs. Randall said that when she first came here, she was very pleased with the weather. “Coming from Boston, I was so excited to see the natural beauty around Saint Stephen’s and opportunity to engage with nature,” she said.

Apart from Florida’s delightful weather, both Hamilton and Randall said that when they first came here from different states, the teachers here had a great impact on them. Hamilton said that “everyone was eager to help and guide me,” and Randall also mentioned that although it may have taken time to adjust to the new class schedules, she was greatly supported and assisted by both the teachers and students and she “quickly felt at home.”

“I still have a schedule to remind myself of the block scheduling posted to my wall. I also relied heavily on students, faculty and staff to show me how best to use the ample technology available. The constant openness and level of communication was also refreshing and helpful,” Randall said.

In addition to having smooth transitions in teaching at a new school, both teachers also faced a few challenges along the way.

“The seeming lack of seasons due to the wonderful weather makes it difficult to chart the passage of time and the flying by of the semester. Figuring out which of the many technological tools to take advantage of in the classroom was also a challenge,” Randall said.

Hamilton reflected, “I can’t remember the most challenging thing when I began, but the most challenging thing I feel as a teacher is having enough time to teach. We are very ‘scheduled’ and there are many extra activities which take away from teaching. I feel this more each year.”

Yet looking from a bigger picture, very often it is hard to decide where it is you want to work. But Randall and Hamilton already knew what they wanted, which made it easier for them.

Hamilton said: “I wanted to get into a full-time position in an elementary school. I had recently moved here from Illinois and was intrigued with the idea of a private, independent school. I answered an ad in the paper and started by teaching 1st grade.”

Randall said that when she came to visit the school and interview, she felt engaged by the students. “I was also excited to have the opportunity to teach the classes I have this year.”

While Randall has only been here for six months and Hamilton has been here for many years, both have had many memorable moments to share.

Randall said that she was honored to be able to play the flute for the All Saints Day Service, “especially since music used to be such a large part of my life. It really highlighted for me Saint Stephen’s emphasis on exploration and support of the many facets of the self.”

Hamilton added that throughout her years, there have been several things of which she still has fond memories of: second grade-pirate day, fun days in the old lower school with the red door, and standing on the outside of the fence to watch it be bulldozed down; there was also working aftercare, having her own children attend Saint Stephen’s, and transforming her entire room for IQ into a theme for two weeks of exploration.

While Saint Stephen’s provides both students and teachers with a warm and supportive environment, Randall added that she greatly values the school’s “emphasis on personal interest and growth for both teachers and students,” whereas Hamilton noted the school’s “small class size.”

Looking towards the years to come, Randall said that she looks forward to “continuing to create new and engaging activities for my classes, continuing to develop relationships with everyone on campus, and extending my perspective further beyond the classroom to engage students in more experiences in their community and internationally.”

On the other hand, Hamilton said that she is excited to be “retiring and then reading in the newspaper about all the wonderful students and things happening at Saint Stephen’s.”

Thus, whether it is the first of thirty fifth year of teaching at Saint Stephen’s, the teachers value their experience by bringing something special that they have to offer to the community and learning something new for themselves, too.