As most people may know, Stroudsburg High School’s choir teacher, Ms. Lee, is retiring as of this year. She has been teaching for over 30 years in the district, and has been such a big influence. She is someone that a lot of students look up to. The Mountaineer asked some students who have had Ms. Lee as a teacher during their high school journey to say a couple of words about what Ms. Lee means to them and how she has influenced their lives.
“I would say that Ms. Lee is a person who won’t let you down when you need someone to talk to. She will always be there and make sure that every single student of hers is feeling their best. Even if she sees a student sad or crying, she will be there to support them in any way possible, and her students never treat her like an ordinary teacher. They treat her like a best friend or a person that they can trust. For me, Ms. Lee has always been there for me when I needed her most. So to me, she is not a teacher in my eyes, no, she is more than that. She is a blessing to all of her students. I am blessed to have met a teacher like her and will never forget her in my heart. She will never be forgotten in all of our hearts and in our high school!” – Imani Lanae Moreno, ’28.
“Ms. Lee is someone who, 23 years later, is still talked about and admired by me and now my children. She is someone whose kindness, dedication, and talent span generations and leave a lasting impression and eagerness to make her proud.
— Samantha Parton, '03
.sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 { display: flex; float: left; margin: 30px 30px 30px 0; width: 50%; border-color: #888888; border-top-width: 5px; border-right-width: 5px; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-left-width: 5px; } .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 p.pullquotetext, .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 p.quotespeaker { } .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 .pullquotepic { width: 33%; margin-left: 25px; } .sno-story-body .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 p.pullquotetext { font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.4em; } .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 .quotebar { background: #dddddd; flex: 0 0 90px; margin-top: -15px; margin-left: -15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; } .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 .largequote { color: #888888; } .sno-pullquote-6a22e6151bfd8 .quotebody { width: unset; }“I haven’t known Ms. Lee for long; however, she has made a massive impact on my sophomore year. I may not have taken chorus this year, but she sure did make the chorus room feel like home. I always visited her randomly, and she would welcome me and others with open arms. Ms. Lee has the most infectious laugh and smile; she never fails to light up a room with her presence. She was there for me when I needed help or advice, and never failed once to put a smile on my face afterwards. I couldn’t thank her more for everything she has done for me, and I will miss her dearly next year every time I go to stop in the chorus room. Ms. Lee will have forever made a mark on our high school.” – Keira Paradis, ’28
“Even though people might not know it, Ms. Lee really changed my life for the better. If I had never come into choir that one fateful day in my 10th grade year, I would not be where I am today. When I met Ms. Lee, I instantly said to myself, ‘She will be important in my life.’ I say life and not my music career because even though she introduced me to the beautiful world of singing, she also taught me that the more effort you put in, the better your life will be. Ms. Lee has brought so much joy and whimsy into my life, and most importantly, all the music she brought into my life. At the end of the day, it all comes down to music, from the blades of grass at our feet to that star millions of light-years away. Ms. Lee taught me that music is all around us and to cherish music like you cherish your life. One last time, thank you, Ms. Lee.” – Tristan Gottardi, ’27
“Ms. Lee has been an inspiration to many every day with her dedication and bright smile!” – Anabelle Cervone, ’27
“It’s rare to find such a stellar musician who is patient, nurturing, and kind as Ms. Lee. She always made me feel safe to make mistakes while simultaneously challenging me to reach my fullest potential. This balance is where the true magic happens in a music ensemble, and I am forever grateful for the influence she had on me both inside and outside the classroom.” – Danielle Molan, ’03
I think I can speak for a lot of us when I say that Ms. Lee has been such a big influence on all of us. She is actually the reason I want to become a music teacher. She has impacted my life in ways I can’t even describe. I will always cherish the small moments when I was in her room having conversations about random things, or randomly harmonizing with my friends, and she would join in. Even though she is leaving, there will always be a special place in all of our hearts for her, and we wish her the best retirement!
A video with interviews is coming soon!