Faculty/Staff Retirements

Karen Chiasson

CELEBRATING 26 YEARS

When CSW community members think back to their first time on CSW’s campus, whether it was to interview for a job or take a tour as a prospective student or parent, most will remember Karen Chiasson as the person who welcomed them. For roughly 26 years, Karen served as the school’s official greeter, checking visitors in at reception or chatting with parents at morning drop off. When she came to CSW in 1995, Karen, who was hired as a receptionist, quickly became responsible for many of the behind-thescenes daily operations of the school. In those days, she says, she was essentially a “secretary for all.” As time went on, her role came to include the management of CSW’s phone systems, back when the lines ran on an actual switchboard located in the basement of the Kluchman. To get a staff member set up with a new phone line, Karen recalls having to crawl under desks, undo old lines, plug in new ones, and enter the new information in the main computer, before checking to make sure everything was working. She could frequently be seen traipsing across campus, carting boxes of telephones, wires, and cords.

Karen was born and raised not far from the CSW campus in Waltham, MA. Prior to her time at CSW, she held a series of jobs, once working the night shift for a bank and later serving as a childcare provider. These jobs were always part-time, she says, so she could dedicate the bulk of her time to her children. Karen brought this love and dedication with her when she came to CSW. “Karen is a giver to everyone,” says Lisa Oslowski, CSW’s data systems manager, and a longtime friend and colleague of Karen’s. “Whether it’s her friends, family, or colleagues ... she does so much for the people and places she cares about.”

When she wasn’t busy organizing lost and found items, sorting the mail, giving directions, coordinating deliveries, or answering the phones, Karen was always meeting and chatting with current and prospective community members — a part of the job she says was her favorite.

“I love to talk up the school,” she says. “I have walked and talked with so many people through the years, many of them on their first visit to campus.” She can think of numerous instances where families have thanked her for the time she spent with them, because it helped convince them that CSW would be the right place for their family.

We thank Karen for her years of service and wish her many relaxing, happy days ahead at her home by Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

Marilyn DelDonno

CELEBRATING 38 YEARS

Marilyn DelDonno can still distinctly remember her very first impressions of CSW when she came to interview for a job teaching in the Science Department. It was 1984 and, after speaking with Julia Euling, the department chair at the time, she already had a good feeling. Her excitement only grew when Steve Cohen, a man who wore many hats during his time at CSW (history teacher, academic dean, assistant headmaster, and director of studies), showed her what was known simply as the “Big Board,” a large visual outline of all the classes available at CSW. Steve and Julia were hoping Marilyn could teach “History of Science” with Trumbull Smith, a history teacher Marilyn also very quickly connected with, and the off-campus “Marine Bio” course, which took place on Cape Cod at the time. She was in. “After I met with the students, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” Marilyn says. “I knew it was where I needed to be.”

Back then, the science classrooms were housed in what is now the Language Building, along with three more classrooms in a now-demolished space on the hill. Marilyn remembers what she describes as “rabbit warren” in the back. The space was tiny, with mice, dirt floors, and no bathroom, but she didn’t care one bit. Thanks in large part to Marilyn, that building has since been replaced with the incredible, award-winning, highly energy efficient Garthwaite Center for Science and Art, the installation of which remains one of Marilyn’s proudest accomplishments from her time at CSW. From its inception, Marilyn played a critical role in bringing the vision for the Garthwaite — a spacious, eco-friendly, interdisciplinary space — to life. Beyond working with the board, administrators, and architects, Marilyn worked hard to draw attention to the building and its innovative design, applying for a variety of important awards and certifications. Marilyn says she doesn’t usually care about that kind of stuff, but it was crucial to her that CSW’s amazing Science Department get the recognition it deserved. “I wanted to get the word out there that we were a strong science school,” she says.

Marilyn has taught pretty much every class there is to teach in the Science Department (except Botany!), and has served the school in many different capacities. She used to help run the school’s “Law Day,” (now the Michael H. Feldman ’67 Social Justice Day), and has served on countless faculty committees, and even taught D Blocks like “Bowling” and “Folk Dancing.” She has also always been passionately involved in school efforts to spread awareness of climate change and promote sustainable living in the community. But despite regular pleas from the administration, there were two jobs she always

refused: serving on the Board of Trustees (she had no interest in nighttime meetings) and Dean of Students. The highest administrative role she has held was chair of the Science Department, which she filled for about 15 years. “I’m a science teacher and that’s what I like to do. I like being with the kids,” she explains. She didn’t get into teaching to be with adults.

Still, when asked what she will miss most about CSW, Marilyn says it’s the people — the kids and the adults. “I’ve learned so much about — everything — from fellow faculty,” she says. “Not only in my own discipline but in the world in general.” She has especially loved teaching interdisciplinary classes, most recently with Tom Evans, Evelina Galper, Rachel Hirsch, and Eli Keehn. “You learn so much working with your colleagues,” she says. “They care about students, they care about their work, and they’re just fun people to be around.”

Although she will have been at CSW for close to 40 years when she retires this spring, Marilyn maintains that the school actually hasn’t changed all that much — at least not in the ways that really matter.

“I think structures change,” she says. “And I think it’s a little more hierarchical than it used to be. Department chairs used to have more agency — which was for good and ill, I want to be clear about that — but I think at its heart, the school has not changed.” Marilyn shares that throughout her time at CSW, the teachers have always been the same. They love what they do. They care about students. They are innovative. “And the kids are delightful,” she says. “They’re so much fun to teach — so interested and willing to work with you. To me that’s what The Cambridge School of Weston is: the teachers and the students. The other structures, yeah, they change, but the people have not changed in my mind.”

As she prepares to say farewell to CSW, Marilyn has this simple advice: Find what you love doing and keep doing it. It’s what she’s done for the past 38 years, and she’s loved every moment.

The Frontal Lobe of CSW

BY TOM EVANS

The following is an excerpt of a speech delivered by Tom in honor of Marilyn at Reunion Weekend.

According to Google search, the frontal lobe is the part of the brain that keeps emotions in check and controls character, decision-making, and reasoning. For 38 years Marilyn has been the frontal lobe of CSW. From the first moment I met her, until a week ago when we finished team-teaching, Marilyn has always been a voice of reason.

But her impressive ability to remain calm, to not get caught up in the mishigas of school administration, and to stay focused on the kids is only part of her magic. She is also the epitome of a growth mindset, a creative adventurer, and an educational explorer.

Hard to say exactly when her journey to become a master teacher began. Young Marilyn graduated from Brown University, then went on to finish her Ph.D. course work. She was working on her dissertation when she began to realize that teaching was incredibly satisfying, maybe more satisfying than research. She decided to try teaching full time. She applied to schools that would allow her to live near her mom. One of her first interviews was at CSW.

38 years later I asked her, “Do you have any regrets about staying here for so long?” “Not at all,” she said. “I loved it. But now I am ready to do something new.”

I mean, “something new” does sound great for Marilyn, but I think CSW still needs her. Over the years, so many faculty members have said to me, “Ask Marilyn what she thinks, she’s the only sane person here.”

Marilyn, can I tempt you to stay and develop some new potential integrated studies courses? “The Power of Light?” “The Chemistry of Art?” “The Art and Science of the Frontal Lobe?”

No? I get it. It’s really fun for Marilyn to turn her focus more brightly on her many passions: gardening, nature walks with Shawn, cooking amazing desserts, folk dancing, volunteering to tutor students from underfunded school systems, and reading a great murder mystery snuggled up with her beloved cats. Yes, yes, a well-deserved reward after her tireless and consistent devotion to the students of CSW. I mean, I know this is a celebration of Marilyn, but what about my needs!? “Dimensions of Time,” “Meanings of Love,” “Global Health.” Anjali Bhatia taught a course with Marilyn with the intriguing title, “Who Are We?” And perhaps Marilyn’s favorite which she teaches with Rachel Hirsch, “The Art of Prediction.”

Marilyn leaves a legacy as a great teacher. But also a legacy of a well-organized, broad-thinking, long-serving Science Department head. She was instrumental in creating the Progressive Education Lab (PEL) program that educated young teachers who were passionate about progressive education. (One of that program’s star students, Kevin Smith, is currently the Science Department head.)

Marilyn was also in large part the inspiration behind the Garthwaite building. One presentation from her about how art and science see the world in similar ways inspired Board of Trustees Chair Diane Garthwaite P’99 to support the building. AND… She has also been CSW’s strongest voice for sustainability for over 10 years. AND she accomplished all this while teaching chemistry, physics, biology, and her favorite, “Marine Biology,” to name a few. She told me a week ago that me she was so happy to get to teach Chemistry this year. There are not that many people who would say “I’m so happy to get to teach Chemistry again.”

At some point teachers retire. That is a fact — I’m sure verifiable with a T test.

And of courses Marilyn does deserve time for her passions. But CSW without Marilyn…hmmm. That still doesn’t seem like a good idea.

But I’ll try to be grateful for the 35 years I did get to teach with her. Grateful for the incredible teaching wisdom she shared with me, grateful for the times she talked me out of hitting the send button on an unnecessary email, and especially grateful to just have spent time with such a smart, loving, generous, creative, and kindhearted person — really, an exceptional human in all ways.

I can’t quite bring myself to say goodbye. I don’t want to say goodbye to this beautiful person. But I can say…CSW loves you, and I love you. Marilyn, know that everyone who knows you wants you to celebrate and revel in your next well-earned adventure.