To the editor:

Some memories stay with us forever. My years in Barrington's schools from 1960 to 1972 shaped who I am today, through teachers whose influence extended far beyond their classrooms.

Nayatt School holds my earliest educational memories - climbing on that big rock during recess and walking home (sometimes in galoshes) in all New England weather. Mrs. King's pitch pipe led our second-grade voices through "God Bless America" each morning, planting seeds of both music and patriotism. Mrs. Hathaway had us stand and recite the times tables. In third grade, Mrs. Pierce reminded us to "eat all our potatoes boys and girls" (parsley potatoes were indeed the best!). 

Mrs. Gunderson and Mr. Servant transformed gym class from dreaded requirement to welcome break. When history darkened our doorstep with JFK's assassination, Mrs. Kempf guided us through confusion with wisdom beyond textbooks. Mrs. Redfern's SRA reading tests built my love of literature one color-coded card at a time, while Mr. Hassan's stern demeanor masked the caring principal he would become.

At LR Peck Jr. High School, Larry Duschene proved that even awkward adolescents could pass the JFK fitness test. Mr. Aroni breathed life into history's pages, while Mr. Giglio's Biography class—a curriculum gem now lost to time—opened windows into lives worth knowing. Mrs. Denby's Latin classes seemed to resurrect a "dead" language that I've since found echoing through English words nearly every day. Mr. Booth's tree diagrams mapped the structure of our language, while Mrs. McCaughey's demanding English lessons shaped my writing with equal measures of fear and inspiration. Mr. Tomei somehow taught Algebra 1 while maintaining order despite the comedic talents of Kenny Fryer, Billy Snell and Craig McCaffrey. 

For seven years, French flowed from Madame Hugot's classroom, though she never quite warmed to my name "Serge" (apparently there was no "Scott" in France). Mr. Fleury oversaw the language lab, though I still wonder if he spoke English at all. 

High school brought Joe DeSisto and Frank Murgo, gym teachers who found athletic potential in everyone. Mr. Johnson's Chemistry class earned me my one and only D—mercifully lasting just one quarter. Bill Reynolds honed my writing, despite my disdain for Kerouac's "On the Road." The language of mathematics became clearer through Mr. Leary, Bob Tobias, and Bob Karewa—teachers who made numbers meaningful. I'll never forget Mrs. Duley's Speech Class.....oh that nervous impromptu speech we all had to give in front of dozens of speechless friends.

My keyboard skills flourish to this day due to Mrs. Simonetti’s guidance on the IBM electric typewriters during Type 1 and 2 class.

Some commanded respect through presence alone—Mr. Kinevy and Mr. O'Brien were two figures you simply didn't cross. Mr. Barnard's economics lessons extended to the tennis court, where his coaching somehow tolerated my youthful "exuberance". Thanks, Barney, for patience I only now fully appreciate.

Principal Genetti led with quiet confidence and dignity—teaching leadership by example. And in the cafeteria, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. Souza offered a skinny kid extra portions of shepherd's pie—nourishment that went beyond calories.

These educators built the foundation for my future through rigorous academics and discipline. I honor the Best of Barrington—professionals whose impact continues in my life. 

Thank you, Barrington teachers, all. You weren't just teaching subjects; you were teaching me.

Scott Fuller

Barrington