MADISON — Three longtime teachers retired from Madison Local Schools at the end of this school year.
Christine Snider spent her entire career in education at Madison South Elementary School. She served most of her 28 years as a Title 1 reading teacher.
Madison South Principal Nicole Cox described Snider as someone who had a huge heart for all people — kids and adults alike.
“She had a great sense of humor and was willing to do whatever it took for the students. That’s what I appreciated most about her,” Cox said. “She was always kid first and willing to keep it lighthearted to keep it fun for the kids.”
Tracey Burden retired from Madison Comprehensive High School as a math teacher. She also served as the chair of the math department and advisor for the National Honor Society.
“She has been a driving force as we reconfigure our math curriculum to try to improve our state test scores,” Principal Sean Conway said. “She’s a friend and someone that I absolutely love. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work with her.”
Laura Phillips also retired from Madison Comprehensive High School, where she worked as a Spanish teacher.
Conway said Phillips has mentored other foreign language teachers and students who have gone on to pursue teaching careers.
“She has been the most caring, understanding, compassionate teacher that I’ve ever seen, and she’s been the backbone of our foreign language art for a long time,” Conway said.
Both high school teachers exemplify why he wanted his own kids to attend Madison Local Schools, the principal said.
“When my family was deciding where did we want to live, it was ‘What type of school system did we want our kids to go to?'” he said. “After working with teachers like this, we decided we wanted to build a home in Madison.”
