BMUFSD: Q & A With Retiring Teacher Pam Gordon

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

2024-05-10

Briarcliff High School French teacher Pam Gordon is retiring this year. We talked with her about the wisdom she would like to pass on to students and the advice she has for new teachers. She also shared a funny incident that happened during class.

Q: How long have you been a teacher at the school, what grade/subject and where did you teach before?

A: I have been teaching French and Spanish at Briarcliff for 30 years. I have taught in all three buildings: at Todd, at the middle school and at the high school. I have taught every level of French in the district: French 6, 7, 8, French I, French II, French III, French IIIH, French IV, French IVH, French V and French AP. Before coming to Briarcliff, I taught in a private school in New Yok City and also at Blind Brook High School.

Q: Can you share a funny incident that happened while teaching?

A: When I was playing 10 questions with a class, each student had to bring in an object in a brown paper bag and the other team had to ask “yes or no” questions to guess the object in a bag. Since there was an odd number of students in the class, I joined a team. Unfortunately, my competitive side came out and I got really into the game and called out an answer instead of allowing a student to give an answer. Suddenly, the class started to laugh. I was so embarrassed that I started to laugh as well. It took us a few minutes to stop laughing. A after this incident, the class asked to play the game again for days!

Q: Do you have any advice to offer to a teacher starting out?

A: New teachers should learn from their colleagues and, luckily, the faculty at Briarcliff is incredible. My advice for new teachers is to observe their colleagues’ classes, ask questions and never be afraid to try something new in the classroom.

Q: What are your plans for retirement?

A: I have no definite plans for retirement. I am living in the moment and focusing on enjoying the remainder of the year with my students, doing what I love to do – teaching.

Q: If you could pass any wisdom to your students what would it be?

A: I would tell them to follow their dream and choose a career that they love so that they will enjoy doing it every single day.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: One of my favorite quotes is from “Le Petit Prince” by Antoine de St-Exupery:

“On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.” –

“You can only see with your heart. The essential is invisible to the eye.”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.