1966-Present Math and science teacher, cross country coach and current track coach.
Memory: “Probably the favorite team I had was the cross country team that was second in the nation. One of the nicest things was when they had the dedication for the track, because Laura [Schmitt] set up a really nice deal and the principal came out and they put up a really big sign. My daughter and grandchildren came to watch, and it was neat.”
1965-1995 English teacher and department chair, tennis coach
Memory: “There’s a common thread goes through it. Every time in the classroom when the kids took charge of their learning. . . I used to teach in 20th Century Lit. East of Eden, and I would give them the books and then we would have conversations. The kids would show incredible insight, and it was at the point where I had to raise my hand to talk, that was part of the game that we had. I just learned so much about their ability to take this book apart and their insights to life and that was a real highlight for me.
I taught Oral Rhetoric and Speech to the mayor of San Francisco.”
Passed away
1968-1993 Librarian
Memory: “Adam Janin, Erik Nygren, Adam Kropp, Justin Sher, Jae Chi, Larry Becker, and Megan Thomas, among others established the foundation for Redwood’s virtual library. I chose the software; the students, the hardware and tech support. Breakdowns were rare thanks to these computer nerds. Redwood had the sharpest, youngest computer team in Marin.”
1958-1993 Math and P.E. teacher, athletic director, head baseball coach, assistant football coach, director of the Physical Education Program
Memory: “Redwood was my home. I was the last of the original faculty at Redwood. Loved it. I miss the teachers, I miss the students, it’s just a great place.
The Chessman situtation at San Quentin, I remember that very well when the students had a march and so forth about his execution, and the Hell’s Angels showing up on campus. Those were two big things. The best memories were the teachers to me and those that I worked close with, Bob Troppman and Dick Hart.”
Passed Away
1992-2004 Superintendent
Memory: “The highlight was in 1994 my daughter, Joanne Levinson, was the editor of the Redwood Bark, and. . . in that spring there was a big battle between the district and the Bark and the students as to whether or not there should be a sex educaton survey and whether condoms should be distributed in the school. I found myself on the opposite side of my daughter who was of course very much in favor, but the school district was saying no.
The results were that in the end, the board approved the program for distributing condoms and the students did get to do their sex survey. So my daughter was successful and I was not. We had a great time with it.”
Memory: “The beginning days: helping to get the school song and school colors. Everything was brand new, and just being part of the organization was great. The spirit was fantastic. The athletics were good at the early years. There were excellent teachers. The beginning years were good.”
1958-1983 First Principal for 21 years, then Math teacher
Memory: “My favorite memory of Redwood was opening a brand new school with the support of the Superintendent, the Board of Trustees, and an enthusiastic faculty. I was 33 years old and this was a very exciting time for me.
The most important parts of Redwood were the people who participated in developing the academic atmosphere and extra currcular activities. There was a group of students who were anxious to develop new ways of participating in school.
Did you know that the title Principal comes from Principal Teacher?
That’s how I saw myself.”
Memory: “This is going to sound corny, but the kids. When I quit coaching after 25 years, the first year was the hardest not working with the kids. But I was fortunate enough to be there to watch them and support them, and some of the faculty who you’re close to but all the people I was close to who retired a year or two earlier also, but we still saw each other once in a while.”
