Suzanne Hannay (English) (Most Popular Teacher 1973)

English Teacher

1968 - 1977

I was so sorry to learn of the death of Augusta Adams and Sylvia Seidel--both strong women who took me under their collective wings when I was a brand new teacher with little experience but lots of enthusiasm and free time. "Gusta" in particular gave me a tremendous push forward by sharing a section of her A.P. English classes with me. She mothered me through many crises during those early years of my career. When I moved on finally to a New England boarding school and discovered the challenge of running a senior boys' dorm on my own, I often found myself wondering "what would Gusta do?" as I wrestled with so many issues. I think of her often still.
My husband and I visited Bob James in 2015 at his home close to the Battery in Charlestown, S.C. and it was a wonderful experience. Bob was just as I remembered him from the early 1970's at Fort Hunt. His penmanship is just a formal and precise as I remember it. He still had a lilt in his voice that was so distinctive. But he's also an artist of a different kind--a talented painter. His gorgeous house is home to lots of his art work. We shared stories of Scotland which we both have visited many times.

I think of Fort Hunt students as very patient and talented characters who filled me with a love of teaching and a faith that I could help them learn. THEY taught me more than they will ever know. After all these years, I still remember the names and faces of so many of you! I wish I could see all of you again! Class of 1970--your 50th is coming up. Keep me on your mailing list.

I spent 2007-2008 teaching in Jordan in the opening year of King Abdullah's new school--KING'S ACADEMY. It was a tremendous experience and even caught the attention of ABC News's Terry McCarthy whose interview ended up on the evening national news. I made it onto the screen for about five seconds, but it was enough to register with Diane Pomeroy '70, Sandy Winnefeld '74, and John Tarpey'74. I got a cellphone call from "Diz" while on a field trip in Wadi Rum saying she'd seen me on T.V. and wanted to say "Hi." It was wonderful to hear from these "kids."