By Bethany Bray
Just like many of the Andover High School seniors he taught during the last three decades, Craig Simpson walked out of AHS for the last time this week.
Simpson has retired after a 30-year career teaching social studies in Andover. Next month, he will move to Santa Fe with his longtime partner, Kathy Cook, who retired from Andover High five years ago after a 32-year teaching career.
"We're starting a whole new adventure. It's sort of that moment where we've brought ourselves to a cliff and are jumping off," said Simpson. "We're exhilarated about what's coming up, but continue to feel a sense of sadness as September comes around, and all those kids we don't have (as students) are with other people."
The last day of school in Andover was Friday, June 26. Simpson was one of seven teachers and administrators to retire on June 30. A total of a dozen people have retired from Andover this school year (SEE CHART).
Besides social studies, Simpson also taught the interdisciplinary Odyssey program at AHS with Cook, was head of the young teacher mentoring program for 10 years and was one of three national board certified teachers at AHS.
After 30 years, Simpson said he's "feeling very nostalgic."
"It's just been a great experience. I can't think of a better place to have taught," said Simpson. "Every day has been so much fun that I laugh driving into the parking lot. I always said I wanted my last five years to be the best of career, and they were. I just had so many opportunities for growth and learning with colleages that were spectacular."
Simpson said he also learned from the students.
"They reinforced that learning is fun, and when you get the opportunity, you will succeed. They reinforced that every kid has some talent, and most chose to use it," said Simpson. "They reinforced that I could get better every year I'm there. They're like looking in a mirror - when you know you're getting better you can see it, and when you're not, you can see that as well."
Schools out forever
Name, Position and SchoolRetirement DateDate StartedNumber of Years w/Andover
Linda Look, High Plain Elementary teacher12/12/0811/18/7434
Patricia Sweeney, West Elementary School teacher04/12/0902/25/7435
Linda Meltzer, Sanborn Elementary School reading teacher06/30/0909/05/009
Helen Coleman, West Middle School math teacher06/30/0912/22/053.5
Kate Allard, Andover High School special needs teacher09/19/0810/10/8424
Chandler Parker, Andover High School social studies teacher06/30/0909/01/8623
Craig Simpson, Andover High School social studies teacher06/30/0909/01/7930
William Drummond, Andover High School math teacher06/30/0909/01/6940
Frank Wroblewski, Andover High School science teacher06/30/0909/01/018
Mike Wartman, Andover High School guidance counselor07/22/0909/01/8226
Peter Anderson, Andover High School principal07/31/0907/01/0023
Brenda O'Brien, High Plain Elementary principal06/30/0909/01/7930
Have a memory, tribute or anecdote about one of these 2009 retirees you'd like to share? Send it to us at townsman@andovertownsman.com.
