As the 2015-16 school year comes to an end, NH will say goodbye to several teachers who have been in the education for a long time.

Ms. Christine Fellenbaum has been a special-ed teacher for 37 years. On top of her responsibilities as the department chair, the veteran teacher has had a hand in traditions that have evolved over the years, including prom, DUCKS, Allied Sports, and more.
Though she is retiring, Fellenbaum hopes to frequently return to North Harford High as a substitute. Fellenbaum says she spent so much time because “the people here have become family.” It is for this reason, that Fellenbaum is open and willing to take up substitution jobs at NH whenever possible.

On top of already dealing with young students, Fellenbaum says she is also planning on spending more time with her four grandchildren, one of whom is heading into kindergarten. She also plans to travel with fellow retiring teacher Sue Dewlin (also in her last year at North Harford), towards the beginning of the next school year, as a way to break the ‘habit’ of returning to the school. She also has a week-long trip planned to Colorado in September.

Even though Fellenbaum has a whole 37 years in the school system, there was just too much difficulty in picking a favorite student, as there were just too many.

Fellenbaum has strong beliefs that anyone can have an effect on the lives of those around them. “I really believe that everybody in your life has an impact,” said the educator.

She claims to have had far too many experiences during her 37 years to pick out a favorite. However, she confessed that one of the most memorable times was when she had been gifted notes by her students that had graduated (some from students that had left 30 years ago!).

Another teacher who is leaving The Nest this year is Mrs. Sue Dewlin, also a Special Education teacher. She’s been teaching here since 2002. “I came here from an elementary school background. So I came from teaching really little kids to high school, and I loved it. I loved it every day,” said Dewlin.

Dewlin participated in the Best Buddies club and Sports for Life programs, who said integrating special needs kids into the general ed population was an important part of her job. “Anything I can do to take our kids and mix them and get them involved in the school community, I try to do that,” she stated.

Dewlin explained that there are great differences between teaching elementary school and high school, “I think teaching older kids after teaching little ones for so long opened my eyes to what kids go through, the problems that y’all have. I have loved seeing the more mature side of kids.”

The veteran teacher learned a lot from her teaching career at North Harford. “Have a lot of fun, laugh even on the bad days laugh ‘cause most stuff is funny, and live one day at a time. Get through today, have a good time, and then do the same thing tomorrow. That’s about the wisest thing I can say,” she said.

Students are reacting to the special educator leaving, including sophomore Laura Olchewsky who said, “I’ll miss you Mrs. Dewlin! Thank you for being the best homeroom teacher ever. You are amazing, and enjoy retirement!” Senior Chad Baynes also said, “You always helped me through everything, if I needed something you would be there. You are the best, we are going to miss you.”