So Long and Farewell to Ms. Lavelle

Written by Ruel Olanday

As the school year comes to an end, we say good-bye to one of our most beloved teachers, Patricia Lavelle. Many of you know her as the sophomore and senior humanities language arts teacher, but most of you probably know her as the teacher in room 104. Sadly, those who have come to know such a wonderful have to say good-bye.

It is fair to say that Ms. Lavelle is like no other teacher, and no one, that we have talked to can say that not one person can even amount to what skill and knowledge she has. All past and current humanities students can say that there isn’t a single person that could possibly fill her shoes.

“There is always something different about her, not like the other teachers. She would look straight at me, give the world’s biggest smile and say ‘hello’. That always made me smile right back at her because she has so much energy in the morning. I will definitely miss her,” said sophomore Taylor Tibbs.             

Most students at the end of sophomore year expect to have Ms. Lavelle again once they reached senior year. Her simple, yet unique style of teaching has made her such an engaging teacher and even a mother away from home.          

 “She always looked out for us, no matter in any situation, when she needed too; she’d put her foot down and told it to you straight, she reminds me so much like a mother teaching her children. She always keep you on track,” said junior Jennifer Piga.            

Her teaching methods, in my opinion, were simple, yet, effective. She has fun. No matter what she lectures she always had fun with what she was doing. No matter how silly she sometimes acted when reciting the roles of Julius Cesar. She made it clear to the class that she was there to help teach in an interesting way. Ms. Lavelle also taught life lessons that cannot easily be learned through texts or books.           

“She made me believe that you could always be yourself, that the opinions of others can only hurt you if you allow it. I learned that staying true to yourself is far greater than trying to be someone you’re not,” said Amaniel Gebregiorgis.           

Yet, many still wonder why she’s leaving. It has been passed around by word of mouth that Ms. Lavelle has been teaching here at Franklin for fourteen years and that she needed change and something different. Though many of students will miss her, many of her colleagues will too.           

Ms. Watts, sophomore humanities said, “ She always gave the effort to accomplish her goals and help the students. She always had time to do other things besides teaching, like baking cookies for the students and even biking to work. She even inspired me to bike to school. She always motivated me to be the best teacher I could possibly become.”          

What I remember most when I had Ms. Lavelle class when I was a sophomore. She made our entire class sign a sheet of paper that stated what we would pass the WASL and graduate as the class of 2008. She gave us hope that we could all pass. She never gave up hoping that we will do our best. But, now she leaves without seeing the humanities class of 2008 graduate. Though our hopes are still there along side of her, we cannot see her walking down the halls, saying “hello” in the morning, or wishing us a “great weekend”.         

Franklin has faced many hardships this year, and once again we face another. We wish you luck to where ever your life takes you.

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