RETIRING FACULTY AND STAFF

So Long, Farewell to Retiring Faculty & Staff Retiree

Cook during the 1983–1984 school year.

Deb COOK

Lower School Learning Specialist

In her 40 years at Pace Academy, Lower School Learning Specialist DEB COOK made a lasting impact in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and on generations of students. She joined the faculty in 1981 to teach Pre-First and first grade before stepping into the learning specialist role, receiving the Kessler Excellence in Teaching Award twice along the way. As a child, Cook was profoundly impacted by her secondgrade teacher, who demonstrated the difference support makes in a student’s academic journey. So when, after 30 years of teaching, she saw the need for “twice exceptional” students to have more assistance, she transitioned into the learning specialist position. “Many Pace students are creative problem solvers who might not easily learn in the traditional way,” she says. “I loved supporting these students and helping the teachers help these students.”

Cook’s favorite aspects of independent-school teaching were the creativity and innovation it allowed. Being included in decision-making aided the feeling that she “could make a difference at Pace,” and a difference she made, indeed. She was one of the teachers who defined Pre-First when it was established, designed the original playground and created Light One Candle, Pace’s annual Lower School holiday program. It was her part in these institutions and many more that made Cook an influential member of the Pace faculty.

Though she’s retiring, Cook’s inexorable dedication to education keeps her busy. She has opened a private practice for student support and welcomed her second granddaughter this summer. l

Lisa RICHARDSON

Lower School Learning Specialist

In her seven years at Pace, Learning Specialist LISA RICHARDSON’s enthusiasm and dedication to fostering a love of learning in all students made a significant impact in the Lower School ARC.

Richardson joined the Pace faculty in 2014 with over 20 years of teaching experience under her belt. Recognizing the priority of ensuring success for students of all ages and levels of ability, she played a vital role in the growth of the ARC, providing support to students, teachers and parents alike.

“Lisa deeply loved the children she worked with and used creativity and excitement to help them overcome reading and language-based challenges,” says Director of Lower School Student Life KACY BRUBAKER. “She was a data person who could decipher complicated reports but was better known for her hugs, shark pajamas and the way she supported her students.”

After 35 years of teaching, Richardson looks back at her time at Pace with endearment, but now is excited to spend more time with her family and travel the world. l

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Charles SMITH

Facilities Associate

For 28 years, Facilities Associate CHARLES SMITH brightened the Pace campus with his famous smiles. No matter who encountered him—student, parent and faculty alike—no one felt like a stranger at school thanks to Smith.

His sunny attitude wasn’t the only way he helped the community, though. Smith served as Pace’s official mailman and performed a broad range of tasks, from cleaning gutters to mowing the front lawn. While he enjoyed everything about the job, Smith remarks that his favorite part was always the people that make up the Pace family. Smith is also an incredibly talented musician; he plays the guitar, bass and harmonica. In his younger days, he dreamt of playing in a band full-time, and he even graced several school dances and events with his bandmates and talent over the years.

Many have mourned with Smith the unexpected passing of his wife, Christa, shortly after retirement. As he navigates this change, he has many shoulders to lean on at Pace where he remains beloved, in addition to the love of his children and grandchildren.

At Pace, Smith has left an indelible imprint. Maintenance & Grounds Staff Associate CHRIS BEVEL notes, “He impacted the Pace community through the love he showed to everyone.” l

So Long, Farewell to Retiring Faculty & Staff

Wilson in 2018

Pam TISDALE

Administrative Support Staff Tutt in 1985

Lee WILSON Transitions Program Coordinator, Newspaper Adviser Retiree

PAM TISDALE retired from Pace following an impactful 27-year tenure as an administrative support staff member, but the community Liz was already familiar with her kind demeanor and dedication to detail when she joined the staff in 1992. As a stay-at-home TUTT mom to two Pace graduates, CHARLIE TISDALE ’95 and JACK Physical Education TISDALE ’99, Tisdale became a regular parent volunteer when Teacher & her elder son enrolled in Pre-First. Former Varsity Girls

Prior to having children, Tisdale spent eight years teach- Soccer Coach ing high-school history in Fulton County Schools, so she was well-attuned to the demands and culture of a busy school LIZ TUTT embodies passion, community. At Pace, Tisdale’s steady contributions ranged grit and dedication to athletic from keeping the calendar updated and organized to manag- excellence, and through her ing awards at school ceremonies. Though her work was often collective 38 years as a physibehind the scenes, students and faculty alike will agree that she cal education teacher and varsity was integral to keeping school life running smoothly. girls soccer coach, she vastly contributed to

“There was hardly a day that I did not learn something new,” Pace’s legacy of creating well-rounded and she says of her wide array of tasks. But more than the work talented scholar-athletes. Initially joining itself, it is the relationships with coworkers that Tisdale trea- the faculty to coach and spearhead the sures most, as she notes that she “will miss the daily contact school’s outdoor education program (now with faculty and staff. That was the best part of the work.” part of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership), Tutt later added

In retirement, Tisdale plans to spend more time in her PE teacher, and even assistant athletics director at one point, to garden and looks forward to traveling. l her Pace resume.

Over her 13 years on the Pace faculty, LEE WILSON helped generations of Upper School students find the perfect library book, publish a polished Knightly News article and transition seamlessly into ninth grade. More than for her actions, though, Wilson will be remembered at Pace for her selfless leadership and unwavering positivity.

Though Wilson joined the Pace faculty in 2008, her immeasurable impact on the school community began years earlier; she became an active parent volunteer when her daughter MICHELLE GOLD ’08 enrolled in Pace’s seventh grade. Wilson, who had previously held marketing and communications positions in the mental health field, longed to increase her involvement with the school. When her younger daughter, LAUREN GOLD ’12, began ninth grade, she jumped at the chance to work as a library assistant.

Wilson sought an opportunity to work more closely with students and soon landed the newspaper adviser position. “The newspaper seemed a natural fit because of my background in communications,” she remarks. “I had to learn a great deal on the job, but absolutely loved working with the staff.” In addition, in 2010, Wilson became the driving force behind the ninth-grade Transitions program. As program coordinator, she employed her mental-health-field experience to develop a curriculum aimed at helping freshmen make a successful adjustment to high school. These transitions of her own demonstrate Wilson’s impact: she never stopped striving to better herself and the school community around her. “The Upper School has the most brilliant, interesting, caring faculty and staff, and I