In 9th grade (1990), I had a great Math teacher named Mrs. Kippen. She is one of those teachers that sticks out because she was kind and very helpful. Some teaches and in my experience, Math teaches, could be impatient when someone (me) didn't understand a Math problem. I have had my share of bad Math teachers. However she was different..in fact she is the reason why I understand Math at all I think. She really took time to explain it to me and when I didn't get it, she would say "Well, think of it this way...". She is the solo reason why I understand the pythagorean theorem.
There was this girl in my 9th grade class, who was pregnant and Mrs. Kippen helped her by talking to her and if I remember correctly, got her to talk to the school therapist, so she could tell her mother.
Mrs. Kippen was truly one of these best teachers I had. You know the good ones, because they are the ones who you remember and the ones who never knew how much they affected your life.
Mrs Kippen committed suicide recently. My thoughts are with her family.
Taken from the Times Union:
Albany teacher remembered as 'a very special person'
By PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer
Last updated: 3:24 p.m., Tuesday, January 26, 2010
ALBANY-- Students, teachers and staff are mourning the sudden death of longtime Albany High School math teacher Dierdre Kippen, who apparently jumped off a highway bridge into the Hudson River and died Monday.
Family members confirmed today that the body of a 48-year-old woman pulled by authorities from the water beneath the bridge that carries the Thruway's Berkshire Spur over the river was Kippen's.
She lived in Troy, was married and the mother of two children, one in high school and the other college-aged.
"We didn't have any idea at all. She showed no outward signs," said Paul Sherman, a brother-in-law, who last saw Kippen at a large family Christmas celebration.
Today, grief counselors and additional staff were at the school, where students are taking Regents exams.
Kippen was called "an excellent teacher who cared deeply about her students" by interim superintendent Raymond Colucciello. "She was always willing to give extra time and effort to help them be successful," he said.
Colucciello and principal David McCalla informed staff of Kippen's death at the start of school today.
Kippen started with the district in 1984. "She will be sorely missed by the Albany school district family," Colucciello said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time."
"She was loved by all she touched," Sherman said. "She was a very special person and we're having a hard time."
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=893502
1 comment:
Aw. that is sad news, Brian. Sorry to hear that.
I had one of those teachers. Ones that go above and beyond all others and that you remember the rest of your life.
Mine was Ms. Barbra Burns ( yes- Ms. it was the early-mid 70's and she was a mod gal). She was my 2nd and 3rd grade teacher and i would always go visit her after i was not in her classes anymore and help her grade papers after school. She had long bright red hair with a "That Girl!" flip. I thought she was fabulous. When it came time for Parent-Teacher conference, she always preferred to come to the students home for it. I lived with my Grandma at the time and my Aunt is only a year older than me so we both had Ms. Burns. I remember one year for the parent conference meeting.. sitting on the porch waiting for her. Then i saw her light blue Volkswagon Bug come driving up the street and i got so excited i fell off the porch LOL. She loved that Audra (my aunt) and i were just so thrilled to have her come have coffee with my Grandma. I will always remember her.
On one of her bulletin boards- she always kept a phrase cut out of construction paper stencil letters that read "Dare to be YOU!". That has always stuck with me and i think of her often and wonder how she is.. or if she still is.
Too sad about your teacher. One can only wish they could have helped in a situation like that. Sad.
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