Westlake teacher finishes long career

After 34 years, Westlake Hills Elementary School first-grade teacher Helen Harrington will retire on June 13.

She’s taught many students in her time and many of them, according to her colleagues, have benefited from her generosity and passion for education.

Several teachers and some students called to add their comments to this story and each individual enthusiastically described Harrington as a teacher and as a person. Harrington will be missed, some of her colleagues said, but the memory of her will always exist.

"I don’t want to hog all the other teachers’ time," said Westlake Hills third-grade teacher and Harrington’s colleague Martha Swyney. "But I will say this. Helen is an institution around here."

With Harrington, education was more than learning in the classroom. It was an experience, according to Swyney. She’ll always remember, she said, when Harrington took her students overseas.

"She takes her children every year on an imaginary trip to Africa," Swyney said. The trip takes place within the confines her classroom, but the students take in more than just facts. "She wears a hostess uniform that she greets her children at the door with," she said.

Harrington’s room is no longer four walls; it’s an African landscape, her colleagues said.

Current fourth-grader Michael Lerios remembers his experience in Africa during Harrington’s class. "We simulated an airplane while we watched a video about Africa," Michael said.

The imaginary visit comes complete with passports, African clothing, masks and drums, according to Swyney. The lesson explores a list of endangered animals, she said, and students can collect money to protect the species.

"She does all these things for the children to make them aware of their environment and the world they live in," Swyney said.

Harrington also taught her students bits of other languages, according to current fourth-grader Ali Kazen. "In first-grade, she taught us how to write our name in Japanese," Ali said.

Harrington has a great way of working with any student, according to fourth-grade teacher Sue Peelle. Peelle is Harrington’s colleague, but was also a parent of one of her students.

Peelle’s son had a hard time learning to read, but Harrington assured her that he would do fine.

"One afternoon, she came not only out of the classroom, but to the car where I was sitting," Peelle said. "And she said to me, ‘I know Wes is on the brink of really getting to be a reader. And if he works this summer, I know he’s going to start second-grade and be able to read and keep up.’ For a parent—for me to see the pride that my son had when she spoke to him like that—it gave him such confidence in his ability to learn—that takes a special teacher to do that."

Others agree. "She finds the best in children," Swyney said. "And she brings it out in them." And she brings the best out in others as well.

Harrington has mentored student teachers. "Those student teachers move on to their own classrooms," Peelle said, "and they carry with them the techniques (Harrington) has taught them and the enthusiasm that she displays in her classroom and the knowledge she has."

Harrington is always coming up with new ideas, according to first-grade teacher and colleague Diane Evans. "Her peers consider her the epitome of the profession," she said.

But Harrington is humble. She doesn’t want all the credit.

"The best part about being a teacher—being that most of my years have been with first graders—is that they come in knowing very little," Harrington said, "not even being able to read (the word) ‘the,’ and then go out reading chapter books. And they think I did it all for them. It’s very rewarding to see how much they grow in one year—not only in academics, but in poise and social skills."

Harrington will travel the world during the beginning of her retirement, she said. And afterwards, she might take up little projects at home to keep herself busy, she said. But she doesn’t deny that she’ll miss teaching.

"It’s been very rewarding at the end of my career …" Harrington said. "…So I leave the profession on a high, knowing that I could have fun while I’m teaching …"

After four back-to-back phone calls from teachers anxious to recognize Harrington’s career achievements, the phone was silent for the evening. But it wasn’t long before the phone rang again and Westlake Hills teachers and students delivered their thoughts as if writing them down in a going away card for her.

"It will be a sorry day when (Harrington) walks out," said principal Rachelle Morga.

Harrington won’t return next year. Her classroom that many times stood as Africa and much more will only be four walls, a roof and a floor with desks inside. The magic will be gone in her absence.

But the memory of Harrington will live on and the teachers and students she’s inspired won’t forget the spirit she brought to their careers and to their lives.