“I was so excited for this new chapter of my life, and here I now sit where it’s ready to end, and it’s kind of weird.”
After decades of shaping children into adults and nurturing a love for learning, Ms. Brodie is saying one last farewell to Hempfield. As she steps into retirement, her impact on the high school community and the countless students she has influenced and inspired, must not go unrecognized. When we think of Ms. Brodie, we don’t think of her as a typical social studies teacher. Her outgoing personality, funny sense of humor, and inspiring passion for learning has become a part of who she is and our school experience. Needless to say, we will miss her very much.
When asked what her happiest memory was while being at Hempfield, it took her a minute to respond, but when she did, it was a bittersweet response. It didn’t include snakes, hot dogs, or leaky ceilings. Rather, Brodie reflected on when she “got the call that she was going to be a teacher here.” She could recall exactly where she was the moment the phone rang, “I was at the zoo, and they threw me in a shack that had a phone in it and told me I got the job.” She further reflected on her “teacher besties” who “even on rough days,” make her job “palatable.”
Ms. Brodie’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has received a number of awards but her biggest achievement has been being selected as a Fulbright Scholar back in 2002. This award was open to all teachers nationwide and only fifteen teachers could be selected. Not surprising to us, but certainly exceptional, Ms. Brodie was chosen. Furthermore, she was selected among 75 other teachers in the country to go on a tour of Turkey in 2010. She explains that “both of these were highly unexpected,” and rightfully so, she is “very proud of these achievements.”
Ms. Brodie also served as the head of her department. Members of her department describe her as someone who was able to lead in a dynamic yet caring manner. They say she stands up for what she believes in, and yet, she is a compassionate soul who tries to understand where others are coming from.
Ms. Brodie will be remembered for many enthralling lessons, but one that stands out is her Butterfly Project. She herself remarked that this was “the most impactful and rewarding experience.” Ms. Brodie gives each of her students a card of individuals who lost their lives in the Holocaust. For each life, students paint a butterfly to remember the loss. “It makes me proud to see all the butterflies on the walls of this building, knowing they were painted by students who learned about the Holocaust and the struggles that individuals faced.”
Brodie’s next steps after retirement reflect her personality. She plans to foster rescue dogs and hang out with her dog Descher, become an advocate for those who can’t speak up, and work on her new house. We wish Ms. Brodie the best of luck in this new chapter of life. We know she will succeed in everything she does!
So after 29 eventful years in the Hempfield Area School District, it is safe to say that Ms. Brodie has left her mark, and we all will miss her very much. She is a true staple to the history hallways.
