Former Faculty

Susan Andrews enjoys living in Northern Virginia near her grandchildren, to whom she teaches high school literature, composition, and middle school English. She also teaches a few other homeschooled children. Susan says, “I use Chip Lee’s book on composition.” She has remained in touch with many of her former students. Last Summer, she had lunch with Tyler Kelly ’15, after his bike ride across the USA, along with Tyler’s brother Slide Kelly ’13. Susan attended a book release talk by Eli Saslow ’01 at a Washington, D.C. bookstore, and she writes, “Eli is writing a COVID series that is published on the front page of the Washington Post every Sunday.” Susan and her husband Virgil were also able to attend several basketball games of Justin Bassey ’16, when Harvard was playing in the area. In 2019, Harvard advanced during March Madness, and Justin got them tickets to see a playoff game with Georgetown. Susan says, “What fun to follow his games!” Susan also traveled to Brown University last May for the graduation of Michael Fuller ’15. “He’s been in Denver this past year with Teach for America, Susan adds. “I feel for the students who are graduating this year, but a note from Loida Luna ’16 lifted my spirits when she described the way Boston College brought closure for students in March as they packed up and left campus. Schools are doing a remarkable job.”

Susan Andrews (L) with Michael Fuller ’15 at Brown University

In Memoriam

<<< played school together on the front porch of the house at 50 Fifth Street. We probably always knew that we were going to be teachers when we grew up. I think we both framed it as professional calling and a wonderful way to spend a lifetime. We can regale you with shared school experiences from Mrs. Hardy’s Kindergarten, where we marched to the music of her piano, to painting dinosaurs in First Grade and going to the Bronx Zoo. We can talk about taking tap dancing lessons together and performing the ‘monkey to the chimp’ song. These stories continue all the way through high school, where Lisa was a cheerleader and athlete, and I was a thespian and editor of the school newspaper. Lisa completed her undergraduate degree at Central Connecticut State University and joined me on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Porcupine, S.D. in the late 1970s. She worked as a reading specialist for the Shannon County School District and became an expert on horseback riding as well, fulfilling another childhood dream of both of us wanting to become more like Annie Oakley. Then, our lives took different geographical turns. Lisa was living in San Francisco in the early 1990s, and I was teaching Third Grade at a wonderful school in Denver called Colorado Academy. Lisa and her husband, Tom, relocated to Denver with their two children, and Lisa began to substitute teach here at CA, taking over for a teacher on maternity leave. That position became a full-time job teaching Third Grade. She taught in the Lower School for nine years and then began working in Raether Library in 2001, completing a Master of Library Science at CU Denver and working as the Middle School Librarian until her retirement.

Her 21-year career at CA was punctuated by her strong work ethic and a true love of children and good books. Liston Hills ’95, a current Middle School English teacher writes, “Lisa’s passion for engaging Middle School readers is inspiring. She never failed to remind teachers to schedule library time for hearing her book talks and checking out independent reading books. Knowing that such actions were not enough to reach every Middle School reader, she also organized school-wide read-ins and invented the Poetry Idol competition for Sixth Graders. She deserves credit for capturing the interest of young readers and a few old ones, too.” Middle School English teacher Peggy Butler adds, “Lisa O’Donnell was the Middle School Library. By that I mean that any Middle School student could ask her for a book recommendation, and off the top of her head, she would rattle off titles to match a student’s interest and genre. Lisa was always reading, keeping the students and staff abreast of the latest books. She was an invaluable resource to teachers as Summer booklists were put together. Lisa would let us know what was available in paperback, as opposed to hardcover, which helped families immensely.” Others note how Lisa’s “perennial positivity” and upbeat attitude were contagious. We know for certain that the many lives she touched through her love of literacy will remain enriched forever.

Condolences may be sent to Tom at the family home at 7900 West Purdue Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80235-1905. Read about Leslie Webster on page 50.