Written by Andrea Freygang, Rome News-Tribune staff writer, published 3/23/2007
Inside Sally MacLeod’s office at Darlington Middle School, students swarm into the small space she has called home for the last 25 years. Eager to talk to her, students clamor to get her attention as she easily laughs and chats with the students, pausing to give high fives or accept personalized notes on her wall.
“They’ve kind of taken over my office,” said MacLeod, assistant director at Darlington, who is retiring at the end of the school year. “They are a sweet group, and I’m going to miss them. This is their lounge. They’re very comfortable here, making themselves at home.”
Several of the students pause from chatting with MacLeod to say how much they will miss her, and the easy camaraderie with her students is visible.
“She’s such a wonderful lady, and someone I can always talk to,” said Allen Edge while he goes over a special handshake the two have been working on. “She’s a fun teacher and great in the classroom when you need her.”
Another student, Brisha Askew lamented MacLeod’s leaving even though she moves on to the high school next year. “When I’m not in a good mood, I go see Ms. MacLeod and she gets me up, saying that she gets that way sometimes,” said Askew, describing herself as sometimes loud and opinionated. But she says MacLeod encourages her strong opinions, just when appropriate. “I don’t want her to go because there will be another kid like me who will need her to tell her the right thing to do.”
While MacLeod steps out of the office, eighth-grader Chandler Holcombe steps in to check on her notes she left on the wall. “I’m gonna cry when she leaves. She’s like my grandmother, and always helps us if we have a problem but also plays around with us,” said Chandler while proclaiming the office belongs to her. “This is my office — I come and write in here or just to hang out and talk.”
And indeed, it is the students who command MacLeod’s time and space. Her dedication to the young people and gift for reaching them is evident. But they aren’t the only ones who will miss MacLeod, who says she plans on traveling and spending time with family, although she will come back on occasion to substitute as needed.
“Her leaving certainly leaves a big hole for us,” said Jim Van Es, director of Darlington Middle who has worked with MacLeod her entire time on campus. “She is an ally for the kids, and we have worked well together. She’s the unofficial dean for students and will be hard to replace in the classroom and administratively.”
Van Es said three positions would be created to replace MacLeod, with James Hutchins, a current seventh-grade science teacher taking on duties as dean of studies. Ken Wempe, an eighth-grade English teacher, will be dean of students. Van Es said the search is on for a seventh-grade math teacher to replace MacLeod’s teaching duties.
“In her 25 years at Darlington, Ms. MacLeod has been an expert guide through the tricky terrain of middle school. She understands what motivates our students and how those motivations intersect with their future needs and aspirations,” said Tom Whitworth, Darlington headmaster. “We wish her all the best and thank her for her unwavering commitment to Darlington School.”
