Mary Cerbie

Lower School Physical Education Teacher and Grade 7 Volleyball Assistant Coach

When asked about having the same job for 37 years, Cerbie’s boundless enthusiasm comes across clearly. “I’ve had the same job, and I still love it. So many extra things and surprises each year keep it fresh.”

A native Texan, Cerbie came to Latin in 1986 with her husband, who was offered a coaching position at Charlotte Country Day School. While still in Texas, a friend recommended her to Claudette Hall (former Head of Lower School) as someone she should hire. Cerbie then connected with a secretary of Dr. Fox’s (former Headmaster) who was visiting Texas. They had lunch together—and the next day, Dr. Fox offered her a job (which included coaching the Varsity Cheerleaders). Thankfully, she accepted the offer and has been part of the Latin community ever since. Mary says:

As cliché as it sounds, what I love most about my job really is the kids. Their sounds. Their laughter. They bare their souls to you and trust you unconditionally. I also love the relationships I have formed with families, especially when it comes full circle and I’m teaching the children of past students. I can still see the parents in the eyes of the child. My plan every day is to make my class their favorite. I always want to give them a reason to smile.

Cerbie’s passion for teaching defines her work.“I believe movement is the very essence of being,” she said. “Repetition and learning to move (disguised as play) is so important. They’re also, developmentally speaking, the foundation needed for a lifetime of success.”

Mark Tayloe, Head of Lower School, said, “Mary Cerbie is one of the most devoted and dedicated educators I have ever known. I’m not sure the word ‘no’ is in her vocabulary. First of all, she is a first-class educator. Her foundation in child development, especially in regard to gross motor benchmarks, has benefitted thousands of students over all these years. She understands that not every child loves or is good at PE, and she has worked so hard to develop a program in which all children, regardless of ability, can be successful.”

Reflecting on Cerbie’s impact at Latin, there are two other important things to mention, the Friendship Rock on the Lower School playground and Jeffrey, the duck. (Cerbie is also proud of the Lower School treehouse and the turf field, coming to the playground this summer.) You can read the rock story and its social and emotional learning significance in Under the Covered Walkways. It’s a wonderful story of teaching young children empathy and how to be a friend.

Now, onto Jeffrey, an orphan Muscovy duck brought to Latin by a family who raised him/ her in their bathtub after a coyote attack on his siblings. Jeffrey guarded Lake Latin against pesky geese and came running for a treat when Cerbie parked her bus in the afternoon (bus driver is one of the many hats she’s worn at Latin). She fed him cat food, looked after him/her when hurt or sick, and connected with Carolina Waterfowl for vitamin B injections, who discovered he was actually a she. Jeffrey lived a long duck life with the help of his friend, Mary. About Jeffrey, Cerbie said, “He was not friendly at all unless you had food, and even then, he’d still try to bite you.” She then added, “Jeffrey was the best boy/girl duck ever!”