Dr. Mary Veach

Subject: Math

College: Bachelor’s and master’s at Western Connecticut State University. Six-year, and doctorate, University of Bridgeport.

Years at DHS: I have been here 35 years. I graduated from this school in 1979, and I came back to teach here in 1983.

What I will miss: I will miss the idea of the interaction with the students and my colleagues. I have made some great friendships here over the years. I’m going to miss the “Ah-ha” moments that students have when they finally get something after teaching it many many times. Just to see the enthusiasm people have when they finally realize, “I understand it after struggling so long with it.”

What you won’t miss: Having to get up at 5:30 in the morning to come to school. Not sitting in traffic, or rush to get this and that done.

Favorite memory of DHS: My daughters actually “grew up” here. I’ve been teaching at this high school for 35 years so every time in the summer my daughters would come with me to set up my classroom. Well, we had a new principal starting 1994 and my youngest daughter was 5 years old. So here I’m coming in because we had to go get our keys from the main office secretary. I came in reddish shorts and a t-shirt because I’m cleaning out my classroom and getting it ready. I park my little 3-year-old outside the door and say, “I’ll be right back, don’t move.” I went in to get my keys, talk to the secretary for a little bit and I walk out and my daughter is not there. I hear her talking in the next office to my new principal! Here I have to walk in and introduce myself to this new principal and I’m thinking, “Oh my gosh, this is not how to make my first impression.” But it worked out well, and he talked with her and it was fabulous.

Advice to a new teacher: Always be true to yourself, follow what is your core values and don’t let anyone make you stray from it. But most important understand that it is OK to seek out help and advice, and I would strongly encourage that they work with their mentor to make sure that it is a smooth transition.

Retirement plans: My retirement plan is to spend time with my family. My daughter just had a baby so I will become a full-time grandma; I will actually be the babysitter. But I also plan on traveling and our eye is on Europe; we want to see London, Ireland and countries along those lines.