A Space Walk, English-Style By Mathew Pentecost ‘95, English Department Chair

BY MATHEW PENTECOST ‘95, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR

“YOU MUST WALK OUT IN SPACE and not look down.” That was my sophomore English teacher Marilyn Walsh’s advice to her students. It has resonated with me for a long time since she first explained this as we struggled through the rigors of Loyola’s English curriculum in the early 1990s. Her message was to be confident in our abilities yet always push ourselves to improve with a vision beyond our current skills. schools will also have the opportunity to visit Loyola for a day during the school year to observe our program at 1901 Venice Boulevard. My vision is to continue this exploration and analysis at least during my term as department chair as there is tremendous value in seeing how these top-notch schools and departments evolve from year-to-year as opposed to just a one-off visit.

Decades later, as Loyola’s English Department Chair, I wanted to put these wise words into practice at the departmental level. While Loyola is one of the preeminent schools in the country, sometimes we must look beyond our physical boundaries for ideas on how to excel. In an effort to make Marilyn Walsh’s words a reality, I implemented a “Local Exchange Program” for our English teachers. Our plan is to visit three different, local, academically rigorous schools during the year and spend a day at each, observing and collaborating with their faculty. The English department colleagues from those Marymount was first on the calendar in October, Marlborough was next in November and one other school will be spotlighted during the spring semester. At Marymount, it was wonderful to see not only the excellent teaching practice that went on in the classrooms, but also to speak with their department members about the academic policies, pedagogical methods and governance structures that shape their school. I am excited to apply the new techniques and ideas we observed to my own classroom here at Loyola, all in an effort to teach my students to walk out in space and not look down.

Remembrances of Loyola Things Past

BY KAREN JARDINE, ENGLISH TEACHER

DO I REALLY NEED ALL of these scrapbooks from so long ago? That’s the question that motivated me to sort through some very old boxes. I started to turn the pages of a cute Bicentennial-themed memory book from my eighth grade year—1976. I came upon a page on which I had attached some judges’ ballots from a speech tournament I attended at Loyola High School. I have a specific memory of not doing so well in an impromptu round about legalizing marijuana because I knew absolutely nothing about drugs. Now that I think about it, that round might have taken place in my current classroom.

Pasted on the next page was the “certificate of merit” that I earned that day and it was signed by the tournament director, Terry G. Caldwell. What a small world! The legendary Mr. Caldwell who has influenced so many young lives over the years actually touched mine 43 years ago. We have been colleagues since I started teaching at Loyola High School in 2006; Terry has been an invaluable resource to me as well as a kind friend. God has blessed all of us with his talent and wisdom.