Suzanne Doonan

McElwain

No

Masters

reading, sewing,

Studied microbiology and sociology as an undergrad. Then a masters in counseling. Years later got a second bachelor's in theatre. Stayed home with my four children for many years. Varied work experience---testing and counseling at an agency serving developmentally disabled people. Teaching drama in elementary schools and after school and summer arts programs.
Presently producing environmental theatre in an historic cemetery. :) In other words, I create tours in which costumed actors perform at grave side to bring to life the stories of people buried in the cemetery. Eleven hundred people attended over two weekends last fall. Over 400 this spring. People leave saying they feel a deeper connection to the past and to the community. However, I miss working with children and am interested in a new challenge. I have ideas for making schools more progressive and viable.

Two stark memories---one of students applauding the announcement of President Kennedy's assassination. The other of students staging a walk-out the morning that a lone Black student enrolled. Men were circling the block in their cars yelling racial epithets.

Good memories--Helping Karen Weigand, head cheerleader, and others decorate the goal posts for football games. Writing for the Bagpipe (school newspaper). Sewing classes. English classes---in which we did a lot of writing. Diagramming sentences (I am a word nerd). We received a good education at Ramsay. Seemed like we had a lot of unmarried female teachers who dedicated their lives to us--ungrateful adolescents that we were--and taught us well.