Dear editor,

My name is Teresa Dryden-Smith and I attended Aberdeen Elementary School from 1979-1986. I recently heard the school is being dismantled and was not prepared to feel such a broad spectrum of emotions after all of these years.

What fun I had learning at the home of the Aberdeen Pirates! To this day, I recall childhood classmates, teachers and staff with fondness and appreciation.

To the staff and friends of Aberdeen Elementary, thank you. Looking back, I realize you all had scant budgets & materials, huge classroom ratios, and a community with so many near or below the poverty level. How did you do it?

As a student, none of these challenges were even noticed by my elementary school vision. Why? Because you all did your jobs beautifully and in a seemingly tireless way. Your classrooms were magical! We learned to love reading, writing, math, and science. We learned how to listen and be curious but never judgmental. We learned the importance of good manners and to be respectful of the opinions of one another. We learned actions have consequences that entailed sitting on the bench at recess for 5 minutes as a penalty. This is a devastating lesson when you are in first grade and love to talk!

To the teachers and staff I had the pleasure of knowing (Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Whalen -both mom and later her daughter, Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Sledd, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Asbury, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Harding, Mr. Huston, Miss Foster, Mr. Castle, Ms. Forbeck….and so many more), thannk you. Your kindness, patience, and professionalism have all contributed tremendously to my personal and professional successes but have also equipped me to be resilient when there are challenges.

My school journey started as an Aberdeen Elementary School Pirate who admittedly talked a lot but learned to listen. I then became a Milford High School (Ohio) Eagle and a University of Findlay (Ohio) Oiler undergraduate. On May 12th, I will be receiving my Master’s Degree from Columbia University, home of the Lions, in New York City.

Quite the journey for a chatty little pirate who has learned to roar like a lion!

With heartfelt thanks to you, dear Aberdeen Elementary,

Teresa Dryden-Smith

Chicago, Ill.