After tackling challenges as teachers and principals, the journey of many Ritenour staff members is slowly coming to an end.

Many teachers have made an impact on Ritenour. One such teacher, Mary McFarland, has decided to retire this year.

McFarland is the former swimming coach for the girls varsity swimming team, and was also a physical education and health teacher.

One of her best memories was being selected as a 2012 Special Ambassador by Special School District, and is proud of the impact she has had on all of her current and former students.

“I have always hoped I made a difference in someone’s life; that what I taught or said was taken to heart,” McFarland said.

After 20 years of teaching at Ritenour, and 30 years overall, she has decided to do other things in life, such as travel, see the world, and spend more time with her family.

The biggest change she has seen with students is electronic use. Today almost everybody has an electronic device.
“Students have lost the ability to write properly and communicate with others,” McFarland said.

McFarland is not the only teacher to leave the Ritenour family. French teacher Kristen Neptune, Principal Anthony Robinson, and Assistant Principal Katey Gray, will all be moving to other schools.

In addition to McFarland, social studies teacher Charles Swalley will also be retiring.

Swalley was a teacher at Ritenour for 15 years. He also taught at Hazelwood Central for two years, University City for one year and Union High School for three years, and 21 years overall.

After initially joking that he became a teacher because he needed money, Swalley elaborated on his true intentions.
“I truly thought that I could help influence young people’s lives. I was hoping to make a difference in my students’ lives. I think to some degree I have been able to do that,” Swalley said.

Like McFarland, Swalley has also noticed changes in students over the generations.

“The biggest change I’ve noticed is I think there are more students who are only concerned about getting a grade and graduating than about truly learning,” Swalley said.

Swalley does not have a clear plan for his retirement, but has some idea of what he may do.

“I would love to teach a couple of college classes, and I may stay home and take care of my grandchildren,” Swalley said. “Or you may see me stocking the shelves of Target.”

One thing that Swalley knows he will miss is the bond he has built with his students.

“What I liked most about being a teacher is my interactions with students. I love just having discussions with them about their thoughts and feelings,” Swalley said.

Junior Jasmine Bowdry is one student who will be sad to see Swalley go after the positive influence he has had on her.

“(Mr. Swalley helped me) to be a better student, I remember in the beginning when we didn’t get along with each other much, but now we get along very well. He’s very sarcastic and a good teacher,” Bowdry said.