A Q&A with Longtime SPHS Teacher Marsha Leach

Deciding to retire after a rewarding, 37-year career teaching English and Journalism at PHS) was no easy decision for Marsha Leach who decided to end her full-time career at the school when she learned that a new teacher would be excessed if she stayed.

Patch contributor Terri Peters recently sat down with the veteran teacher to discuss her experiences teaching at SPHS, her plans for the summer and her new life as a retiree.

Q:  “Have you taught at any schools other than SPHS, or were your 37 years there your entire teaching career?”

A:  “I started at SPHS in 1974, right out of college. Since I'm an Anne Arundel County girl and knew SPHS' reputation, I was thrilled to start my teaching career there.  I was hired to teach English and journalism and to advise the newspaper staff, and ended up spending my entire career there.”

Q:  “For how many years did you handle the Talon newspaper?  What was that experience like?”

A:  “I advised the newspaper for 11 years, giving it up when my second child was born.  It was a great experience, and quite a few of my students went on to study journalism in college.  I was fortunate to work with some of the most outstanding students who were so proud of their writing, editing, artwork, and layout and design.”

Q:  “Tell me about your involvement in other extracurricular and school activities.”

A:  “I also briefly sponsored the JV Cheerleaders and also sponsored the class of 1980 and
the class of 2001, which was my daughter's graduating class.  I was involved in organizing the proms of the classes I sponsored, although the class officers did most of the work! 

I also chaperoned plenty of proms and other dances during my years there.  I participated in several of the Rock 'n Roll Revival teacher numbers, performing alongside my son and my daughter who were both in the show for 3 years.

Q:  “Your husband mentioned that you had taught your brother and your children, as well as the children of several of your former students.  What has it been like to plant roots so deep in the Severna Park community?”

A:  “I really enjoyed being a teacher at my children's school.  I taught my daughter one semester in Honors English and my brother was on the newspaper staff one year.  For quite a few years now, I've been teaching the children of some of my former students.  I've taught two members of the staff at SPHS.  I've taught entire families. 

A girl graduated a few years ago and I had taught her parents and both of her siblings.  The other day I saw two former students who graduated eight and 10 years ago who are married and they introduced me to their daughter.  It's so rewarding to see my former students go on to college and a career and start families of their own.”

Q:  “You took a break from teaching after being diagnosed with breast cancer, what was that like for you?”
A:  “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2008, so I took the rest of the semester off.  I ended up taking off in the fall of 2008 as well to finish my treatment, and returned to SPHS for second semester of 2009, working full time again. 

For my last two years, I was able to work part time, and since there wasn't a part time position for next year I decided to retire rather than take a full time position away from a new teacher.  I plan to substitute in the fall, only at SPHS.”


Nigel Leach spoke fondly about his wife's commitment to education.  “I met her in 1974 when she was just out of college.  As a 23 year-old teacher, she was often mistaken for a student.  She still maintains the same enthusiasm and love of teaching young minds that she had then.”

Leach spoke excitedly about her plans to substitute teach at SPHS.  “I already have 14 days lined up in the fall.  I am looking forward to still being with the kids and my colleagues and friends without having to take any work home!”

Leach has lived with her family in Severna Park for the past 17 years, and plans to remain in the community throughout her retirement.  “I've been so blessed to have stayed in the same community for so many years,” said Leach, “The kids, for the most part are wonderful, respectful, funny, smart and the parents have been extremely supportive.”