The Inquirer reported today that Sara M. (Sally) Dwyer died on March 17 of heart failure, at the age of 83.
She was my fifth-grade teacher at Belmont Hills School for the 1960-1961 school year. That was her second year teaching. She was 23.
All the kids loved her, even if she was a little sarcastic. Miss Dwyer would tease every one of us, but not in a way that was the least bit threatening. I’m not sure how well her humor would hold up with adults today, but “us kids” then, sure thought she was “a stitch.” And she made learning fun.
“Miss Dwyer” practiced the “Open Classroom” before it became “a thing.” She constantly had us doing projects in little groups. But she managed to stay on top of every single group and made sure there was no fooling around.
In 1994, I had an occasion to be at Merion School and I found my way to her classroom. When I walked in I said to her, “Do you know who I am?” She squinted at me for a few seconds, and then, having not laid eyes on me for 32 years – when I was 11 – just blurted out, “Gerry Senker!”
Rest in Peace, Miss Dwyer.
Ahh she was an awesome teacher!