Milton High School Latin teacher, Mary Lou Markarian, was recently selected for the 2013 “Excellence in Teaching Award,” given by the Classical Association of Massachusetts (CAM.)
“All of us were impressed with your reputation as a teacher and especially, with your success in getting students to apply for – and win – writing contests,” wrote CAM President Ken Rothwell in a congratulatory letter to Ms. Markarian. “The growth of your (Latin) program over the years virtually speaks for itself. Your wisdom and energy have been apparent for a long time and we are pleased to recognize it.”
Ms. Markarian, who is currently teaching Latin I through VI at Milton High, will be presented with the award at the Fall CAM meeting on October 19th Martine Fisher, World Language Department Head for the Milton Public Schools, described Ms. Markarian as “an integral asset of the Milton World Language Department for last 25 years.” “Her dedication and excitement for learning has made her an inspiration to generations of students to whom she has transmitted her love for the Classics and the wisdom and life lessons contained within them,” said Dr. Fisher.
Dr. Fisher compiled a list of comments from current and former students about Ms. Markarian:
- “Mrs. Markarian was not only a wonderful teacher, she was a wonderful mentor in life. She was able to balance classwork and life lessons in a way that more teachers should. She fit in time to teach her students things no one else was willing to advise them about. She’d always say, I can bring you to the threshold, but not over it. Mrs. Markarian’s Latin and life lessons have stuck with me.”
- “The reason I am able to say I am a high school grad and a college grad is because of this wonderful and understanding teacher. Thank you and don’t forget to take off your rose colored glasses!”
- To a teacher who believed the saying “A little learning is a dangerous thing” and made her students learn EVERYTHING… about the Romans and the Greeks….
- “She is a great teacher with a lot of valuable lessons.”
- “She was instantly my favorite teacher after being Lady Gaga’s backup dancer…AND I didn’t even have her as a teacher, I took French.” in Sturbridge.
- “She was the best teacher at Milton High School. Mrs. Markarian is awesome and knows what’s up.”
- “Best teacher ever!”
- “She is amazing.”
- “Perfect mentor and role model.”
- “Really nice, just don’t get her going on astrology. Or do, if you want to distract her from the lesson…Ask about Mercury retrograde in particular.”
- “Greatest teacher I have ever had!!!!!!”
- “Mrs. Markarian is one of the most interesting teachers I have ever had. She truly understands the way her students think.”
- “She is AWESOME! She is absolutely my favorite teacher….She is off the wall.”
- “By far the best teacher I have ever had. She cared about who we were becoming and helped us become who we wanted to be. She was so funny and always told us to take off our visors. I will never forget her.”