Baby boomers to Generation Z, this teacher has taught them all

July 10, 2015
Tom Burke

In retirement, Marta Courtright will preside more as grandmom than grade school teacher but her 58 years in the classroom are one great story.

“I have been teaching first grade at St. Gabriel’s for 38 years,” Marta told me via email. “I taught second grade in Maryland for seven years and nine years in other California schools. My chemistry teacher at Presentation High School, Sister Mary David, inspired me to be a teacher.”

Marta’s tenure covers four generations of students from baby boomers forward. “Classes used to be 50 or more,” she said. “Every activity was pencil and paper and teacher directed.”

She has continued to adapt to the changing education model. “Now it is student-teacher interaction with age appropriate activities,” she said. Marta takes special care with her young learners. “The fundamental task in teaching reading and math is to ensure students have a solid foundation,” Marta said. “I use our document camera to show my students’ work and also to model the lessons I teach. I also use the iPad to enrich my lessons. It was challenging to be a savvy technician in the beginning but I am catching on.”

Marta has been fascinated from day one by students’ reactions. “I love to see the expressions on my students’ faces when they grasp a concept” she said. “They get so excited!”

Marta has found students to always be curious about their faith. “It’s inspiring for me when parents inform me of family discussions about our religion classes,” Marta said. “These are my favorite moments.”

Marta’s advice to those entering the teaching profession is “to keep a positive attitude” and “don’t bring personal concerns to the classroom. Love your students!”

Marta’s work with wonderful teachers and staff, parents and students has been a humbling experience, she said. “I look forward to coming to school every day.”

 

INSPIRING RELIGIOUS: Presentation Sister Mary David, now Sister Rosemary Campi, celebrated 70 years in consecrated life in 2014. Sister Rosemary serves today as a member of the Diocese of San Jose Anti-Human Trafficking Network and the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking. She also volunteers at Sacred Heart Community Services, San Jose.

 

REUNION: Dave Lopez is rounding up St. Cecilia School’s class of 1970 for a reunion Sept. 4 at Oyster Point in South San Francisco. Dave says the plan is to have a follow-up gathering the next day too. “It’s time to see everyone again,” Dave told me. “Your grammar school friends are the ones you grow up with.” Dave is the contact person at dgl94127@yahoo.com or (415) 994-1834. Also pitchin’ in on the effort are DD Wolohan who is flying in from Arizona for the event and Claire Mibach-Fugate. On Facebook, classmates can check it out under events “SC Class of 1970 – 45 year reunion.” Dave has been a teacher and athletic director at St. Brendan School for 33 years. His wife Marcy is a graduate of St. Brendan as are their sons Tim, Steve, DJ, and Matt. Dave said special thanks to St. Cecilia alumni director Veronica Granucci. “She was great getting me addresses and contacts for our class,” Dave said.

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: “Congratulations” was the special note from St. Rita Parish to longtime parishioners Bev and Mike Vanni who celebrated 65 years married June 11.

 

Email items and electronic pictures – jpegs at no less than 300 dpi to burket@sfarchdiocese.org or mail to Street, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Include a follow-up phone number. Street is toll-free. My phone number is (415) 614-5634.