Suspended Exeter High Teacher Leaves

An teacher suspended earlier this year for an undisclosed reason has retired, a top school official announced.

Katharyn Wheeler-Smith taught at Exeter High for 34 years. She retired this month, Superintendent Michael Morgan said.

Morgan has declined to say why Wheeler-Smith was put on paid leave in April. Dozens of students were the School Board to bring her back.

Wheeler-Smith could not be reached for comment Thursday.

She taught English and was known as a tough but competent teacher.

Student supporters used Facebook to organize their effort to bring her back, creating a group named "Operation: Retrieve Wheeler."

One student expressed dismay that Wheeler-Smith is gone.

"Wheeler would want us all to be happy and move on with our lives, no matter what," the student wrote.

Wheeler-Smith is currently listed as an English teacher in Phillips Exeter Academy's summer program.

Exeter school officials released the following statement about her retirement:

After agreeing to mutually acceptable retirement incentives with SAU 16, Exeter High School English teacher, Ms. Katharyn Wheeler-Smith retired, effective July, 2012 after 34 years.

She began her teaching career in Exeter in 1978 and instructed students at the Exeter Junior High School and the Exeter High School. No additional information will be available.

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