Her Students Absolutely Know They Are in the Best of Hands A By Jim McGivney, Math, Middle School
n excellent teacher, a quiet leader, a supportive colleague and a warm and compassionate human being, Margarita Throop has distinguished herself in her 20 years of service at Durham Academy. Through her hard work and dedication, her teaching has enriched a generation of students. From her work in her Advanced Placement Spanish courses to her leadership of the foreign language department to her work in the AFS program, she has been a warm and caring member of the Upper School community. She truly deserves to be the 2011 recipient of the F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award. In her role as the teacher of AP Spanish Literature and AP Spanish Language, Margarita brings an energy and commitment to her classroom every day. She asks nothing less than the very best from her students, and they in turn love her for her efforts. “Margarita personally cares about the success of every one of her students,” explained one of her colleagues. She is acutely aware of each student’s strengths and encourages her or him to be independent learners. She has that wonderful ability to work with all of her students no matter what ability level they might have in Spanish. Another colleague added, “Margarita is a star teacher. She is creative, she loves ideas and she is a true intellectual. She has been a great resource for her students and her fellow faculty members.” A good friend added, “Her students absolutely know they are in the best of hands.” One of her former students took both of Margarita’s AP courses while at DA. When she went to college and enrolled in a Spanish class, the student’s professor told her, “You are the best prepared student I have had in all my teaching years at this university.” What a wonderful testimonial to Margarita’s dedication, hard work and caring attitude. Margarita also teaches a Spanish I class. One of her colleagues said, “She is the most wonderful Spanish I teacher. Her class is full of energy and invention.” She plans each day meticulously, down to the minute, so that the class flows effortlessly. Her creative use of lesson plans provides all kinds of learners in her room the opportunity to learn in their own way and to be successful. Her students fully appreciate all the hard work that she puts in each day. “To me it’s that Mrs. Throop always wants to make class fun, and that is what so many other teachers forget. That is the difference,” said one of her students. In addition to her work in the classroom, Margarita has run the AFS program here at Durham Academy for many years. She puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into making sure that each international student has a positive and enriching year at Durham Academy. Having had the experience of living in Argentina for many
Les Todd
Hershey Award Winner Margarita Throop
ABOVE: Hershey Award winner Margarita Throop laughs with students in her Spanish class.
years at a young age, she truly understands what it feels like to experience another culture. She provides the thoughtful, caring support that each AFS student needs. From the acclimation to a new language, to the myriad of social challenges, to just plain missing home, Margarita is there each day to answer questions, offer support and be that shining light to all the AFS students. She has shown unparalleled commitment to the program. In keeping with her strong interest in diversity, Margarita has taken the lead in organizing the International Day on the Upper School campus. Some years ago, DA students came up with the idea for a day to celebrate other cultures. Margarita enthusiastically stepped in to help as the club sponsor. She put in countless hours of careful planning, perseverance and just plain hard work. This sprang from her belief that having knowledge of other cultures is an important piece in the development of a wellrounded student. On International Day each spring, all the students enjoyed educational sessions and other programs meant to broaden their understanding of other cultures. The centerpiece of the day was a lunch that included many tasty international foods. She has also volunteered for the past decade with the Amigos de Hope Valley Program. Young Latino students come to the DA campus every Saturday and are tutored by a group of Upper School students. This program ties in to Margarita’s love of teaching. She mentors the DA students as they prepare to work with the children each week. What a wonderful gift to pass on from one teacher to another. As the liaison between DA and the parents of the students, she spends countless hours answering parent questions, offering encouragement and giving advice. She is a shining example of the outreach that the program offers to the local community. Margarita, husband Michael and daughter Beth love to travel. They have led multiple trips to Japan as part of the Sister Cities program. In her free time she is an avid runner and a lover of the theater. She was winner of the Brumley Excellence in Teaching Award in the 1999-2000 school year. Students, parents, colleagues and friends appreciate Margarita’s hard work and dedication, her gentle manner and her kind spirit. One of her students said, “The difference between Mrs. Throop and other teachers I have had is that she remembers what it was like to be a student. That quality is so rare.” Editor’s note: Jim McGivney was the 2010 recipient of the F. Robertson Hershey Distinguished Faculty Award. Durham Academy Record | Summer 2011 | www.da.org
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