Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

Retiring in 2008Marilyn D’AlessandroJoined the Health andCounseling staff in 1988George H. FernaldJoined the faculty in 1960Marilyn D’Alessandro is aconsummate professional,an empathic caregiver, and afun person. A graduate of CurryCollege, Marilyn first demonstratedher exceptional skills andexpertise as a nursing internat Milton, joining the HealthCenter staff full-time in 1988.Since then, Marilyn’s responseto nearly everything has been,“Sure, I can do that!” When ournurse practitioner resigned andnurses needed to take the on-call,Marilyn was immediately willingto do it. On many mornings, shehad escaped home for only a fewhours of sleep before arrivingfor the next day’s work, havingbeen called in during the nightto attend to an ill student. Sincethe Health Center has staffed theon-call night, and on-duty eveninghours, Marilyn has covereda weekend each month of daycall, in addition to her full commitmentto Milton. Marilyn hasstrong diagnostic skills, excellentknowledge of medicine and ofnursing protocols, and a ferventdesire to see that everyone getsthe best care possible.Marilyn is a thoughtful, compassionate,and meticulous nursefor whom crossing every “t” anddotting every “i” is just businessas usual. She has kept everyoneon his or her toes in the HealthCenter, and her attention todetail has improved many of ourpolicies and procedures. Wholoves to train the new nurses?Marilyn does it. Who makes surethat the nursing protocols areupdated regularly? Marilyn. Whohas helped numerous familieswork through the morass ofinsurance details to get the benefitsthat they deserve for theirchildren? Marilyn.The cellar has flooded, AGAIN,and there’s a foot of water onthe floor! Who found it? Marilyndid when she came in to checkon something during thesummer. Who notices that thepaint needs refreshing, thehandicap ramp railing needsreplacement, the rugs needcleaning, supplies need ordering,that the health forms needto be processed? Marilyn doesthat and more. When the budgetis limited, Marilyn has shownup with a D’Alessandro cast-offto enhance our furnishings. Themany birds outside our windowsare due to the diligent feeding ofthose “lovelies,” who get specialpraise from their caretaker forbringing their cheer and beautyto our garden. Marilyn talks tothe birds and they flock to seeher every day.Marilyn has given of herself,her time, and her energy overand over again. Whenever andwherever there is a need, Marilynvolunteers. We all wonder howwe’ll ever survive without her.Thank goodness she lives downthe street and has already volunteeredto be our substitute nursewhenever we need someone.We will miss you, Marilyn, andwe want to take this opportunityto thank you properly and wellfor all that you have done for allof us and for our School. Youhave been incredible, and yourlegacy will live on in all that youhave done for us.Ellie GriffinDirector of Health andCounseling ServicesMarilyn D’AlessandroFor 48 years, you have givenselflessly and generously toMilton Academy—a half centuryof service to this School andyour entire professional life tothis community. Your colleaguescall you “the ultimate schoolperson,” an apt description. Youhave been so much to so many:a superb advisor, a dorm parentfor 30 years, house head for bothHallowell and Forbes, a coachfor 15 years, and the lead manon the Discipline Committeefor nearly four decades. Theseare many roles, but first andforemost, you have always beena teacher. You came to Milton in1960 without having seen theSchool, hired through cable communication,while you studied atthe University of Paris—and youhave remained an educator. Yourlegacy as a French teacher isassured as you have taught over2,000 students—that’s a lot ofRhinocéros! The inclusion of theabsurd in your classes comes asno surprise; your sense of humoris renowned. You’ve often beendescribed as a master of the pun.One of your colleagues describedyour teaching style: “Georgealways knew how to have fun.‘If you get the students to buyinto the fun of the language, youget them to learn it.’” You arefamous for your inventive waysof helping students learn. Yourpuppet theater is a fond memoryfor countless students, and yourshtick as Julia Child to teach elementsof French cooking is legendary.Lest anyone think yourclasses were just fun and games,it’s important to note the seriousnessof your teaching of literature.You brought Les jeux sontfaits alive for your students in somany imaginative ways; but whattruly helped them understandexistentialism were the stories ofyour youthful encounters withGeorge FernaldSartre. You have always believedthat reading literature should bean essential part of the languageexperience for our students.Your insistence on the value ofthe classics has secured them acentral role in our department’scurriculum.Students have a special fondnessfor you, George. Your rapportwith them is special andtheir admiration for you is clear.One graduate said, “MonsieurFernald was a compassionate,enthusiastic and engagingteacher who gave me what isundoubtedly one of my favoriteacademic Milton experiences.”Another student wrote, “As notonly a great teacher, but also agreat person, Monsieur Fernaldnever gave up on any student.”Another remarked, “Mr. Fernaldis a truly unique teacher. I alwaysfelt like I came out of the classdiscussions learning somethingnew, whether it was aboutFrench grammar or a viewpointon the human condition.”You have been affirmed onnumerous occasions as one ofMilton’s finest teachers. Twiceyou were honored with the TalbotBaker Award. Upon learningabout your first award in 1974,your first reaction was to spendMilton Magazine 75