Faculty
Farewells
Mary Ahern
Personal Counselor since 1982
Elizabeth O'Sullivan
Science Teacher since 1989
By Sister Eleanor Eagan, CSJ
Recently, our world lost a wonder
woman, Maya Angelou, who once said,
“I’ve learned that people will forget what
you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made
them feel.”
Twenty-five years ago, on the opening
day of school, two New Yorkers met and
discovered they spoke the same language.
Elizabeth O’Sullivan was beginning her
second career as a science teacher; I was
returning to Carondelet after seven years in
parish ministry.
From the beginning we have shared
common interests and concerns, a common
love for all things Manhattan, and, I believe
a genuine love for the young women we
serve at Carondelet.
Over the last 25 years I have had many
occasions to visit Room 34 and have
witnessed many exchanges with students.
They were always treated fairly, personally,
and respectfully.
For a moment, let’s remember Maya
Angelou’s words.
Whether they were
in regular or honors
Chemistry, Elizabeth’s
students may
remember or forget
what she said or what
she did, but they will
never forget how she
made them feel.
Alive with endless
possibilities in the
world of science,
with an endless
drive to explore the
responsibility to
protect our planet—
that was and is Elizabeth! She has inspired
her students through E-team and Ecology
Club to preserve 16 acres of rainforest and
to adopt 11 seals and a California Black
Bear. She has turned moles into instruments
of creative research. She has taught creativity
and diversity through her tie-dye projects.
Most of all, I think, "Miz O’Sull" (as they
fondly call her) has helped her students
to discover and respect themselves! The
name Elizabeth means “God is abundance.”
We wish you abundance of good health,
relaxation, and new discoveries, Elizabeth.
God is your abundance.
Don Payne
Science Teacher since 1990
By Nancy Meyerhofer
When I started
at Carondelet,
I thought it
was funny that
Don called
me "kiddo." I
was sure that
I was much
older than this
hyperactive
dark-haired
mustachioed
young man.
When I learned that he had worked as a
chemical engineer and had been in the
Navy, I figured he might be a little older
than I thought. It turns out that we are
actually the same age, but he's always had
the energy of someone half his age.
Whether he was performing his
superman stunt to illustrate properties of
light and mirrors, lying on a bed of nails to
show how force is distributed, or making
an extra large balloon of hydrogen and
oxygen to create a crowd-pleasing “boom,”
he always went to great lengths to capture
his students' attention and to dramatize
how chemistry and physics work.
Everyone on campus knows that nobody
put in more time than Don. He tutored
students until they got it—whatever "it"
was—and always acknowledged students
and alums with a fun greeting. Don has
made his mark on Carondelet High School,
and many students are pursuing studies
and careers in science because of him. CHS
will not be the same place without him—a
little less color, a lot less noise!
Tom Zientara
Social Studies Teacher since 1997
By Mitch Ward
Ask most social studies teachers
which course is the least interesting and
Economics will usually be at the top of
the list. But Tom Zientara is not like most
social studies teachers.
Tom made Econ interesting for his
students because he showed them how
relevant it is to their lives. Last year, one
student told me that she learned more
useful information in Economics than in
any other course at Carondelet. Although
the course was difficult and her grade was
average, it was still her favorite class.
From opportunity cost to the marketing
of Tummy Tuck Jeans, Tom masterfully
combined rigor
and engaging
activities in his
Economics classes.
Poor vision did
not deter him
from being a
leader in the use
of technology with
his students. No
wonder Carondelet
and De La Salle
seniors so enjoyed
his classes! All of
us who know how
dedicated he is to
teaching will miss
Mr. Zientara.
Are You Thinking of a
Former Teacher?
WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE...
If you would like to contact a former
faculty member—or share memories
and thoughts with current or former
members of the CHS faculty or
administration—please contact
Alumnae Director Mary Frevele at
[email protected].
9