Longtime MBE teachers retire

Four educators from Mountain Brook Elementary retired this year: Barbara Brewster, second grade; Pam Baugh and Suzy Notarianni, sixth grade; and Nonnie Roby, library media center assistant. I had the chance to collect their thoughts on MBE and retirement as school was ending. All four will be sorely missed.

Barbara Brewster taught almost every elementary grade over 30 years, taking a break to raise a family, continuing her education, and later returning to teach. The past 11 years at MBE, Brewster instructed third, then fifth, and finally second grade. One of her favorite memories at MBE was when her son, a U.S. Marine, came to the Veteran’s Day musical program dressed in his formal blues and walked to the front of the auditorium during the Marine anthem. With trembling hands and tears in her eyes, Barbara pinned the American flag to his lapel.

Suzy Notarianni has taught for 37 years, the last six at MBE. Her favorite memory of MBE was when Superintendent Dicky Barlow recognized her and remembered her name. No other school system where she worked had an administration that took such an interest in the staff to recall names, she said. She plans to move to the Garden District of New Orleans, stroll the neighborhoods, and take real estate courses to obtain a license to sell homes there.

Pam Baugh has taught 26 years, though not consecutive, due to a 10-year break when she raised her own children and volunteered in the community. Seventeen of her years teaching were at MBE as the sixth grade science teacher. She has also taught high school grade biology and physical science. Her favorite memory of teaching is seeing how everyone grows up and makes their way in the world. After retiring, Pam will be a docent at the Birmingham Museum of Art and also spend time working on her farm with bees and sunflowers.

For 20 years Nonnie Roby worked in the library at MBE. Her favorite memory is when the whole school went to the zoo as a reward for reading. Her retirement plans include having fun with her two grandchildren, spending more time with her 93-year-old mother, and traveling with her husband.