Four Faculty Members Embark on Exciting, New Chapters in their Lives

by Josie Jahng (V)

Several teachers are moving on from the Upper School after a few years.

Mr. Paul “Woody” Garavente, also fondly known as “Mr. G” or “Coach G,” is leaving after three years of teaching in the Upper School. Since coming to Pingry, Mr Garavente has played a variety of roles such as a financial literacy teacher, a substitute teacher and a lacrosse coach to name a few.

Mr. Garavente has always “had a passion for business and economics” and he spent 29 years on Wall Street prior to starting his second career as a teacher. His experiences have influenced his approach to teaching financial literacy to Pingry students.

When asked about what he will miss the most about the community, Mr. Garavente cited “his interactions with all of his students.” He added that one favorite memories from his time here was the “end of the season banquet with the JV basketball team,” specifically when “he spoke to the players and the captains, Veronica Williams (IV) and Solape Fakorede (IV), gave speeches for him.”

Next year, Mr. Garavente plans to tutor students and continue to coach lacrosse. His passion both in the classroom and on the field will be greatly missed.

Ms. Sade Jack, Upper School French teacher, is departing after one year. Working at Pingry has given her the opportunity to share her knowledge of and love for French with her students. Most importantly, she wants them to remember that “learning a new language is difficult, but altogether a very rewarding experience whose benefits far outweigh the cons.”

Ms. Jack said that she will miss her “students’ sense of humor,” especially since she loves to laugh, as well as the “warmth and support of the world languages department and from all the members of the Pingry community.”

Additionally, she really enjoyed all of the special assemblies that were held throughout the year, specifically the “Hanly lecture, the Chinese New Year assembly and A Conversation with Wes Moore Assembly.”

Next year, Ms. Jack plans to teach at the St. Andrew’s school in Delaware.

Ms. Anne Sher is also departing the Upper School after one year. For the past year, Ms. Sher has taught honors Geometry and coached the JV girls’ basketball team.

When asked about what she will miss about Pingry, Ms. Sher said she “will definitely miss her students the most, all 55 of them,” because she could “always count on them to make her smile and laugh, even on a long, boring day.” She added that she has seen “so much growth and change in them” and is very sad that she will “miss the rest of their high school careers and their continued growth and success.”

Ms. Sher’s favorite memory is coaching the JV girls’ basketball team because the team “had such a fun time and improved so much.” Even if the team lost, she said “the team would be cheering, screaming, and jumping up and down on the bench as if we had just won the NBA finals.” She appreciated the close-knit nature of the team and commented that it was “nice to get to know some of my students outside of the classroom and feel like part of a supportive and fun community.”

Next year, she is moving to Connecticut and will continue to coach basketball and teach Honors Geometry at a boarding school. Her enthusiasm for math and basketball will be missed.

Finally, Mr. Ryan Staude, also fondly known as “Staude,” will be leaving after two years of teaching history in the Upper School. Specifically, he taught World History 9 and AP US History.

One of his favorite memories from his time in the Upper School was “the end of the year surprise party that his period four APUSH class held for him this year.” He greatly appreciated their thoughtful gifts, including “their edited and illustrated version of ‘How the Soviets Stole Christmas.’”

Mr. Staude is “sad that he is leaving Pingry and will not see his current APUSH students graduate;” however he will “remember each and every one of them.” He wants his students to remember “that history matters and that it is relevant today” and most importantly, “don’t trust the communists.”

Next year, Mr. Staude will be the history department chair at the O’Neal School in North Carolina. His passion for history will be missed by many students.