Retired teacher responds to classroom's lure

Meghan Llamas – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- Monday morning marked the start of a new school year at Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS), along with the return of the original Latin teacher of the school, Susan McDonald.

It’s been four years since McDonald retired after a 45 year-long teaching career, with 14 of those years spent here at the Ranch. McDonald has returned to the school and her original position.

McDonald teaches only three classes a day, Latin 1, 2, and 3.

Graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Latin, French and English, later gaining a PhD from the University of Minnesota, McDonald explained how her inspiration for teaching came at a young age.

“I wanted to be a teacher at nine,” she said “I thought I wanted to teach something else, but when I learned the language I realized that was the subject I wanted to teach.”

The position of a Latin teacher became available this summer after LRHS Latin teacher Stefania Mitzithras moved out of state on short notice. Mitzithras had taken over for McDonald in 2014.

Although McDonald was retired at the time, and was only notified at the end of July, McDonald agreed to take back the position.

McDonald is not just a Latin teacher but also the supervisor of the school’s Latin Club. During her retirement, McDonald still participated in American Classical League regional and state competitions.

Even after four years of retirement, McDonald is happy to be back.

“I have been very warmly welcomed by former colleges and find it very heartwarming to be back here,” she said.

Although she’s not sure just how long she’ll be back for, McDonald is happy to return.

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