Legacy history teacher retires after 37 years: Then & Now

By Lauren Mahomes, Middle School Editor

Not just anyone could work at the same place for 37 years. But then again, Sue Roman is not just anyone.
Ms. Roman first walked through the Greenhill doors in 1969, after accepting an invitation from a friend living in Dallas.

She decided to take a change in venue from teaching in Michigan, her home state.

“I had been teaching before, but only for a short period of time. I thought I would see what was available here in Dallas. When I came for my interview, the man that was interviewing me was from north Michigan, and we just hit it off, and I got the job,” she said.

Throughout her years teaching at Greenhill, she has taught in various sections of the school including seventh grade Texas History, ninth grade Ancient and Medieval History, Advanced Placement [AP] Government, Comparative Government, World history, European history, U.S. history, Law and Civil Liberties, and local politics.

Ms. Roman had the opportunity to watch the school evolve through many of its shapes and forms.

“The school was certainly not as large and manicured as it is now [when I arrived]. We had the cafeteria, the library, and there were temporary buildings where the Middle School stands today. They were ‘temporary buildings’ that had been here since the school opened on this campus. Most of my classes met in the back rooms of the library where the technology offices are now located,” she said.

Ms. Roman’s bright and energetic teaching style created long lasting impacts on her students’ lives. She took time out to become actively involved in her students’ lives. She met and conferenced with them to ensure that they did their best on a paper or had a complete understanding of the material. Her commitment coupled with her distinct humor allowed for students to enjoy her teachings.

“I see Ms. Roman as a compass. She’s a guiding light; she brings humor and compassion to all that she does. You know she’s an experienced faculty member

because most kids sign up for her classes to experience her teaching. She just has a presence and a passion for teaching,” said senior JR Sterling.

The time taken to meet with her students was in some cases rewarded by seeing her students become teachers themselves.

“I remember conferencing with her on papers a lot. That was a part of her expectation and I remember how much she pushed me and how much she really wanted me to write a better paper. I remember being awestruck at how much she cared about me. She taught me to write with supporting details, and when I grade papers today, I still have her words echoing in my ear. I pound at my students to give me details. It’s had a long lasting impact on me and the way I teach,” said Tom Perryman’81, assistant head of school.

One of her long lasting legacies is stressing the importance of advisories. She said that any way we could bring the student body and community together the better and brighter Greenhill’s future would be.

In conformity with her ever present love for politics and political action, her retirement plans include working on at least two local political campaigns and a presidential campaign in 2008.

Politics has always been her love and she instilled a passion for them in her classes, especially that of AP Government.

“She’s a teacher who cares about having discussion oriented classes, which makes the material more in-depth. It’s fascinating to have a teacher that is so involved with the political climate. I’ve really learned the true significance [of politics]. The Upper School will lose a great AP Government teacher, but also a great person, someone whose influence reaches far beyond the boundary of school,” said junior Ashley Fortner.

The community will miss her caring attitude, and true passion for teaching and the instinctive gift of learning.

“I really feel deeply honored to have had her as a teacher and I hold her in the highest regard as a colleague. It took me several years to call her Sue. It is a real honor now to call her a friend. Sue just has a spirit and a feistiness that I’m really going to miss,” said Mr. Perryman.