Theology teacher Mrs. Jane Hall has made the tough decision to retire at the end of this school year.
Hall has been teaching at NDA for 27 years but has taught for 42 years in total.
In her time at NDA, she has been involved with retreats, Mass, Student Government, and the Chinese program.
“For seven years, I spent my prep hour as a student in the Mandarin class, an experience I will always cherish for the joy of learning alongside those incredible students,” said Hall.
Hall and Mrs. Zhang, the Chinese teacher at the time, took 21 of the Mandarin students to China for a 14-day journey which she describes as “unforgettable.”
The best moments in her teaching career were when students’ ideas moved her to tears.
She explained, “When they presented work that was so profound, so deeply thoughtful, that I wondered, ‘Who am I to evaluate this?’”
COVID was the most difficult time in her career when the masks, the isolation, and the distance made the classroom feel like a shadow of what it was meant to be.
“Teaching to a scattered group, some in the classroom, some at home, some in the library, and some in the Triton Center was suffocating for everyone. Yet, even then, our resilience pushed us through,” she said.
Hall grew up in a large family where creativity infused everything they did, which inspired them to seek a deeper meaning and purpose even in the simplest ideas.
“I fondly remember taking turns as the teacher while my siblings sat on the stairwell, pretending to be attentive students. Looking back, maybe my teaching career was predestined,” said the theology teacher.
Being a teacher and working with people, her career never goes exactly as planned, which is what makes it beautiful.
She has noticed that every class has its own personality. Some of her days could be filled with laughter, while others could be an uphill battle, and still others would unfold in ways that took her breath away with moments of growth and insight.
“Teaching semesters, I have learned that no semester is the same,” added Hall.
In her retirement she plans on spending more time with family, being outdoors, traveling to immerse herself and learn about new people, and having the time to fully embrace her passion for woodworking.
“My goal is to create lasting treasures for my grandchildren, hopefully each piece carrying a unique story,” she said.
She plans to take advantage of her time outdoors with more biking and hiking adventures while soaking in the beauty without a schedule.
Hall can’t wait to spend more time with the people she loves most–her husband Jeff, their three daughters and their families.
“I’ll admit, I’m especially looking forward to the pure joy of being a full-time Nana! No more rushing against the clock, just unhurried moments filled with laughter, joy, and adventure with the grandchildren.”
She will miss the deep friendships, the shared laughter, the moments of brainstorming, and the camaraderie shared with NDA staff members.
As for the students, “I will miss witnessing creativity in action, the discussions that sparked a new understanding, the blend of diverse personalities in one room and the uplifting moments when students truly owned their learning.”
“Retirement is not an ending, but a transition. My heart is full. My gratitude is deep. And so…my adventure continues,” concluded Hall.
