From the Pillared Portals to a Brilliant World - Winchester Thurston ...

class notes
class notes
1980
Medri-Anne Ramsden Durr
writes, “I have very fond memories
of Winchester Thurston and
the class of 1980. After many
years of living in Britain, I live in
Johannesburg with my husband
Mark and our four daughters.”
Catching up with Former Faculty
Reaching Out with High Expectations:
Gloria Acklin
Marsia Gibel
Seydoux ’77 and her
husband Jean in Rio.
Sculpture by Caprice
Pierucci ’78 featured
at solo show at
Gremillion Gallery
in Dallas.
Lunching on July 5 are Jan Mermelstein Shaw ’78 and
Class of 1979: Ellen Krause Johnson, Linda Fine, Jodi
Cohen Klein, Robin Kann Gordon, Carolyn Kapner,
Helene Stone Prince, Ellen Silverman Garvin, Laura
Dutch Dinkin.
“I was tough,” says Gloria Acklin, recalling her years as
Middle School English and Upper School speech teacher
from 1970 – 1991. “I had high expectations and got very
high quality work.”
If Acklin’s standards were exceptionally high, so was her ability
to reach each student.
“I’m certainly not a counselor, but there was a certain amount
of that that had to be done,” she reflects as she tells the
story of one student who was “a real ‘I dare you to educate
me’ type.” Recognizing the student’s artistic gifts, Acklin
invited her to design the sets for a production of Winnie the
Pooh. “She designed the most delightful set…By the time we
produced the show, she [had transformed]. She needed to
feel important, and she was. We really depended on her!”
“We took the play to the Home for Crippled Children [now the
Children’s Institute]. Afterward the children in the audience
asked if they could go up and pet the ‘animals,’ and it was the
most moving experience. This was not something you could
ever, ever get in the classroom.”
Acklin adored watching students “…grow in their appreciation
for literature, especially Shakespeare and writing, and actually
enjoying it.”
Years later, she still inspires students as they realize the impact
she had on them. One former student told Acklin, “‘I had no
idea what value debate was going to be to me.’ She’s now
an attorney. She told me I’m right there on her shoulder when
she is in the courtroom.”
In retirement, Acklin spends her time on Chinese brush
painting and watercolor, and writing. A recent visit to the
school reaffirmed that Winchester Thurston remains an
extraordinary place to teach – and learn. “The classrooms
are very active with the children participating, and I was very
impressed with the teachers. It’s still a special place.”
32 T h i s t l e t a l k S u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 1 1