PC P RO F I LE S
Advice from Teacher Fred: “Pass It On” by Elizabeth Spagnoletti OPC ’08
“You have to be interested yourself as a teacher, help kids along and ask questions that lead them to make a discovery. That’s the heart of it.” September 1972: A young, newlywed teacher walks to Penn Charter’s campus from his apartment in Germantown. He greets his students (all male), teaches his classes, advises his clubs, then walks home. Eight years pass. The teacher trades in the hike for what becomes his iconic bicycle: 33 years later, he can still be seen pedaling from his Mt. Airy
home to campus – partly as exercise, partly as political statement. It’s been 41 years since Fred Huntington – better known as Teacher Fred – attended his first Commencement, for the Class of 1973. He will march with faculty for the last time this June, for the graduation of the Class of 2013. Teacher Fred is retiring. Reflecting on this
venerable teacher, Nathan J. Blum OPC ’80 reveals what is at the essence of Huntington’s teaching, describing Huntington as the type of teacher who “enjoyed being with you – in the classroom, in fun activities – he just wanted to spend time with you.” After four decades, Huntington deserves a chance to reflect on this venerable institution and how much (or little) Penn Charter has truly changed. “There has been a momentous shift at almost every level,” Huntington said, citing heightened expectations, increased enrollment and coeducation as primary examples. “Having girls around has humanized the male culture,” Huntington said. While he remains skeptical that Penn Charter was, as he has heard others claim, “rougher-edged”
Fred Huntington, a.k.a. Teacher Fred, will retire after four decades of talking about literature, listening to the language and nurturing curiosity.
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