Weston Teacher Retiring After 43 Years

While the school-related focus time of year is justifiably fixed on the seniors who are getting ready to say goodbye, each year also sees a number of teachers and staff bid farewell.

And while this year is no exception in Weston, in one way it is: it is not every year a teacher steps down after 43 years of service.

Dennis McCowan began his mathematics teaching career in Weston in 1968 and has since taught hundreds of students in capacities that have ranged from middle school teacher to his current role of Math Department head, all the while teaching wherever he was needed.

It was that variety of roles, he said, that kept the job engaging for so many years.

“I’ve had lots of opportunities over the years to change roles,” said McCowan, adding that he has served as the president of the Teacher’s Association, the system-wide computer coordinator, and most recently, the Math Department head, in addition to teaching a variety of classes to different grades.

“There was always something new and exciting to do,” McCowan said, with Weston Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Maloney adding that whatever McCowan’s role at any given time, “basically he taught where he needed to be.”

Maloney called McCowan’s long tenure “an amazing legacy” during which he was “always thinking about how to enhance the experience for students.”

Such enhancements to teaching included allowing kids to retake tests until they had mastered the material, as well as devising a system where kids could take a more difficult test for a possible A, or an easier test where they would get a maximum grade of B, for students who perhaps “had not had time” to become proficient in the material.

That system “gave (kids) the option to excel, but it was also an affirmation that it was OK if they were busy and might not have time” to fully learn materials, Maloney said.

What’s more, said Maloney, McCowan was pondering the issue of homework “long before Race to Nowhere,” the film shown widely last year that questioned the toll too much homework is taking on students.

“I found (homework) counterproductive,” said McCowan. “Kids are as likely to learn things incorrectly as correctly. I decided it made a lot more sense for them to do the mathematics in class with me there to help them.”

And while he said such a span of time certainly brought changes in both his roles and the way he taught, one aspect of his job remained steady throughout—the students.

“The kids haven’t changed at all,” he said. “They’re very motivated, generally very caring toward each other, open, honest, and creative.”

For their part, McCowan’s students echoed Maloney’s words, pointing to his constant willingness to go the extra mile.

McCowan “is arguably one of the best teachers I've had throughout my high school career. He always goes out of his way to make sure each student understands the material and is always willing to offer extra time out of his schedule to help people out,” said Robert Barron, a junior. “Although his class is difficult, he makes it a lot more enjoyable through his personality…I know I can speak for my entire class when I say that we will surely miss him next year when we're seniors.” 

“He was such a sweet teacher and never once turned me away when I needed help. Literally, I probably went in to see him on average 2.5 times a week,” said senior class president . “His patience was unmatched and I'll really miss having him as my teacher. His contributions to the Weston community have been remarkable and the entire teaching staff will be losing an incredible colleague and friend.”

And after 43 years, it’s a loss that will be felt both ways.

“Weston has been my life,” said McCowan, adding that medical issues are forcing a retirement some years before he had intended to leave. “I couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else for so long.”

And what does he think he will miss the most?

“The kids,” he said, without missing a beat. “I have some wonderful colleagues and friends here. But the thing that really gives you a spark in the day is working with the students.”

Retirements noted at reception

Earlier this month, Maloney and others commemorated the retirements of McCowan and other Weston Public Schools staff at the annual Staff Recognition Program. Students from the High School Theater Company (Crystal Evans, Michaela Cramer, and Alex Rougeau) performed musical excerpts from Legally Blonde, and graduating senior Meghan Racklin reflected on her years in the Weston Public Schools. 

Retirements at the reception included those of Rachel Bau, personnel assistant; Jane Clayton-Mathews, Middle School guidance counselor; Sixto Delgado, Transportation Department (bus driver); David Fuller, METCO Director; Lawrence Greco, Middle School math teacher; Dennis McCowan, Grade 6-12 Math Department Head and teacher; Sandy Metcalf, High School media specialist; Lynda Steinberg, Elementary Reading/Writing Specialist; Lyn Sturtevant, Health Services administrative assistant; and Lia Vito, Field School Speech and Language Pathologist.

Each retiring staff member was presented with a school bell commemorating their years of service in education.

Information on the retirement reception was provided by the Weston School Department.