More than a coach: Troop retires after 41 years at the school

selves.”

“You guys are like my own kids, so I would go to the ends of the earth for you. I really would,” Associate Athletic Director for Business and Community Affairs, Physical Education (PE) teacher and Coach Rawlins

Troop said. Troop is retiring after working at the school for 41 years.

Troop’s career at the school began in 1982 as an assistant second grade teacher. Two years later, Troop worked as a kindergarten teacher for three years, then taught science and math to fourth-grade students for over 12 years. After working at the Lower Division, Troop moved into the Upper Division as Associate Athletic Director, PE teacher, Girls Varsity Tennis head coach, and Varsity Ski head coach.

Throughout his time at the school, Troop has come to understand how each student has a set of unique qualities and should be taught with a different approach, he said. “To reach kids, you have to be able to teach differently — especially when they come in for extra help, because you have to reach them in a certain way and realize that each student has a different personality,” Troop said. “That’s what served me the best as a teacher.”

Although Troop has had various roles at the school during the 41 years of his career, coaching has been his favorite, he said. “Coaching is just a whole other way of getting close to kids. It’s a relaxed atmosphere for the most part, where kids feel comfortable sharing their personal and academic lives and achievements with you.”

As a coach, Troop believes it is crucial to encourage his students. He acknowledges that they will not always win and must learn from their mistakes, instead of critiquing them. “If you have a good team, and your kids are playing down, you have to inspire them and you have to push them,” he said. “If you do it correctly, you won’t make kids feel bad about them -

Emily Weidman (11), who had Troop as her tennis coach for two years and PE teacher several times, will miss his enthusiasm, encouragement, and humor when he retires, she said. “Troop is just the nicest person. No matter the situation, he always has the right thing to say to encourage his players.”

On or off the court, Troop always checks in and wants to have a conversation with his students, Weidman said. “He truly cares about his students, and even if it’s not during the tennis season, I always love having a small conversation with him in the hallway to talk about tennis or life.”

Throughout Troop’s years at the school, he has always been an amazing mentor and colleague to PE teacher Ron Beller, who worked alongside Troop for 13 years, Beller said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned a lot about how to become a better teacher and coach from him.”

Above all, Beller will miss Troop’s camaraderie and connection to his students. “Troop’s an integral part to the school and to the PE department. We are going to miss his voice, humor, and experience.”

Troop made the tennis team feel like a big family and always looked out for all his players, Rachel Okin ’18, who played under Troop’s leadership for three years, said. “He really cared about us as people and the team as a whole. For example, he would always ask how we were doing in school, and it was really nice to have someone like that who really cared for and about you.”

Troop tried his best to spend time having fun with the players, Okin said. “Whether we’d be chatting about our days or singing on the bus together, Troop always found a way to get into the fun.”

Emily Grant (11) met Troop when she was on the Middle Division (MD) tennis team in seventh grade and remembers feeling timid and nervous. Troop immediately comforted her, ment to his kindness and warmth, she said. “You just know that he’s always there for you. No matter what happens, if you’re winning or losing, he doesn’t stress you out, but he knows how to encourage you and calm you down.”

One of Grant’s most memorable moments with Troop this season was when he announced the birth of his first grandchild to the team, showing them pictures and videos of his new grandson. “For the rest of the season, we called him ‘Grandpa Troop’ because he truly was like a father to us.”

Although Jiwan Kim (10) never had Troop as a PE teacher or coach, she has grown close with him over the years and said he is one of the most approachable people at the school. “He’s always happy to see you and always ready to listen to you even if it’s not about anything athletics related.”

Kim frequently visits Troop’s office to ask him for advice, grab a leftover slice of pizza from the tennis team, or just say ‘hi.’ “I talk with him about anything that I am proud of or interested in at that moment, and he always seems engaged in our conversations. I love him for that,” Kim said.

Troop’s warmth and empathy towards students, whether on the courts, slopes, or in the hallways, will be greatly missed in the coming years. “I’m gonna miss not seeing him in the halls and greeting him with the biggest smile and hug,” Kim said. “He always reciprocates and it’s just a highlight in my day.”

In addition to being a shoulder to lean on and a caring mentor, Troop was also a fantastic coach. “Troop was definitely really great at making sure we were like mentally tough and able to handle anything that came our way,” Okin said.

Although it has been five years since she graduated, Okin remains grateful for Troop and his impact on her. “I have so much love for him and his family, and I’m just super appreciative of the kind of support that he gave me and all the other girls on the tennis team.”

Weidman’s fondest memory of Troop was the party that the Varsity Tennis Team threw for him at the end of their season, she said. “We had cakes, confetti, and a big cele- bration for Troop and all he’s done for us. It was a really special moment because we were able to really thank him for everything.”

Seeing the students every day is what Troop will miss most after his retirement. “I’m getting older now, and it’s time for me to hand the reins to someone else. I can’t coach forever.”