Mrs. Trieste is a beloved and well known History teacher here at South and much to the sadness of all her students, she will be retiring at the end of this month. Over the course of her extensive career she’s displayed immense integrity towards her profession and immense dedication towards her students. Before she left, I had the chance to interview her and find out more about her thoughts.
Q: Why did you decide to be a teacher?
Mrs. Trieste, especially after college, desired to continue in a field that could combined her love of history and her wish to impact the lives of children. One of her priorities was to make a difference not only in children but to make a difference in society.
Q: What classes have you taught?
U.S. History I and II, Western Civilization, Sociology, Recent American History, and primarily World History
Q: How long have you been a teacher?
“I started teaching in 1974-so for over 30 years”
Q: How do you feel about retiring?
One of the main reasons for Mrs. Trieste’s retirement was for a chance to travel the world and learn new things. She seemed very excited for her future and sees this as an opportunity to have more time for herself.
Q: When do you plan on retiring?
February 1
Q: Tell me something you’d like me or any of the readers to know about yourself
“I believe in continuous learning and I want to experience the world on a personal level”
Q: Do you have any plans for retirement?
Travelling the globe seems to be the biggest thing on Mrs. Trieste’s agenda. She has made it her priority to learn as much as she can about other cultures and experience diverse traditions for what they truly are.
Q: Is there anything in particular you’d like to tell other students or new teachers at Middletown South?
In her parting message Mrs. Trieste emphasized four things to South’s students: don’t be afraid, nobody is perfect, be open and opinionated, and do research and stay informed.
Though parting is never easy, we’re happy that Mrs. Trieste’s retirement marks a satisfying end her long and fruitful career teaching here. We wish her luck in her future ventures!