Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

shaped by living with students, coachingthem and advising them, even though wedon’t teach.”Suzie sees her work with Milton’s developmentoffice as extending her family tradition.“Because it was his family, Miltonwas important to my father, and my fatheris important to me,” she says. “I receivedan incredible education here, and I believein furthering the mission of excellence.I want to give back.”“Witnessing what you’ll gain from takingrisks is one of Milton’s compellingfeatures,” Patrice comments. “I’m herebecause of the creative opportunities tomake ideas come to life. That requiresresources and support, but as a teacher Iknow that it can happen here. Along withmy family, I’m surrounded by music andperformance artists who could make thattheir way of living. The community valuesthe arts, and as an athlete, I’m glad that wevalue sports as well.”“I feel like I’m a tree on this campus,”Elaine says. “I’m part of it. I have noobjectivity about this place. Being partof family continuity that began way back“ You have an activeintellectual life here,and because we diginto complex issues,you have an activephilosophical andemotional life, too.Typically, there’s atleast one momentin every day when Ifind some part of mythinking challenged.”with Headmaster Apthorp, and my grandmotherEsther Williams Apthorp—whotaught English, geography and coached(maybe even started) field hockey—is aprofound gift. When I drove with my dadcross-country to take this job, Stoky [ for-mer athletic director] came into the headof school’s office and told us a story aboutmy dad, back in the 1930s, stealing firstbase to Cap Hall’s dismay. I love teachingat Milton and I love living with thoseGoodwin boys. I want to keep teaching thepeople who are going to make changes inthis world.”“I am never bored; every day has somethinginteresting in it,” says Rod. “Younever feel as though you are running inplace. Instead you’re doing somethingmeaningful for somebody, or helping getto an idea. It’s a constant state of percolation.It’s hard to imagine a more interestinggroup of students; the students arereally fun. You have an active intellectuallife here, and because we dig into complexissues, you have an active philosophicaland emotional life, too. Typically, there’sat least one moment in every day when Ifind some part of my thinking challenged.There’s also always at least one good laughevery day. With all the sophisticated mindsaround, there’s true wit, and that nuancedhumor is so satisfying. Milton is an environmentwhere you feel very much alive.”CDEMilton Magazine 17