Ode to a Retiring Teacher

June 21, 2016 is the last day of Celia Schnacky's 44 year teaching career, the last 16 at EGHS. She loved teaching chemistry at EGHS and she loved her students. If you are a student, you know about the Chemistry Hotline; our home phone number in every student's phone with practically 24/7/365 availability. ("Why is the phone ringing in the 9th inning of the World Series?", said me.) Many students keep their pens and pencils in pencil cases Celia sewed for them. Most students have a tie-dyed shirt, AND understand what kind of chemical bonding is going on. If you took AP, you spent several mornings of your April vacation with her, reviewing for the big exam at Panera's. If you got an award, or played in the band, or graduated at the Veterans Auditorium, or performed in a play, or made Honor Society, or sang at the various talent shows, she was there to witness your success. Every time. If you participated in the URI Chemistry competition, your team was likely in the top three. If you're taking chemistry in college, you're glad she had such high standards and expectations, even though you probably weren't at the time. If you took AP, you're probably on the verge of a Nobel Prize right now and will never forget your high school chemistry teacher.

Retirement for Celia means more gardening, reading, sewing, quilting, knitting, horse riding, hanging out with our many pets, volunteering at the animal protection league and Samaritans, and trips to see our Grandkids in Wisconsin.

And by the way, the Chemistry Hotline will always be open. She loves teaching chemistry that much.