TEACHER, 29 YEARS)

WSS: How did you end up teaching at West?

Rosenthal: My wife provoked me into exploring other options besides a small private school; at the private school I was [teaching at], in Maryland, my largest class [size] was 16. She said, “You can do more and impact more students at a larger school. You just have to have the confidence to do it.” I took a risk, coming to get my master’s degree and then to come and teach at a larger school.

WSS: What are your best memories at West?

Rosenthal: My favorite thing to see is when a light bulb goes on for a student. I think that’s one of the most rewarding things about teaching. When students come back and say, “Hey, I never really thought Spanish was going to be useful for me,” but then they go into their stories about how Spanish has come into their lives; I always get nice satisfaction from that.

WSS: What are your retirement plans?

Rosenthal: I kind of dream about a cabin in the woods by a lake so that I can sit down and just relax a little bit. And I want to try and fiddle a little bit with some writing. I’ve got lots of projects around the house that I’m kind of waiting to get done [too]. Between that, community service and [soccer] coaching, I think [I will be] plenty busy.

WSS: Do you have any parting advice for your students?

Rosenthal: I love to try and get students to be open-mind ed because open-mindedness can lead to opportunity going forward. And if you can keep your opportunities and options as open as possible, then you get to choose the types of paths you want to [take]. If you’re close-minded and set in your ways, you’re really limiting [your] possibilities.

TOM LINDSEY (ENGLISH TEACHER, 25 YEARS)

WSS: What are your best memories at West?

Lindsey: Some of my best memories were on Halloween when wearing costumes was still allowed. I enjoyed seeing students’ and teachers’ creativity personified and how it helped create a sense of community and bonding with students.

WSS: What is unique about West?

Lindsey: I taught in Oregon before coming to West, and what impressed me most about West was the level of academic rigor along with all the talent showcased at theatrical productions, debate tournaments, sporting events and the list goes on. West High is percolating with talented students who yearn for opportunities to tap into their talents.

WSS: What will you miss most about teaching at West?

Lindsey: I will miss figuring out new ways to connect students to literature and writing, and ideally, inspiring students to think for themselves while feeding their intellectual curiosities. I will also miss the faculty at West, especially my English department compadres. They’re the bomb.

WSS: What are your retirement plans?

Lindsey: I’m looking forward to devoting more time and energy to my creative writing pursuits [to] see what un -

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