Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/419085
; 12 L AT I N M A G A Z I N E Interesting facts you might not know about Vicki von Ammon: l When she joined the Latin lower school, Richard Nixon was in the White House and you could feed a family of four for under $4. It was 1972. l roughout the years she taught first, second, third and fifth grades and was a lower school librarian. She also served as interim director and a curriculum coordinator. l Von Ammon felt at home in each of her roles. "When I was teaching the 5-year-olds, they were my favorite age. When I was teaching 8-year- olds, they were my favorite." As a librarian, she loved the opportunity to work with lower school students at all grade levels. l So far, von Ammon has been enjoying the "gift of time and flexibility" that retirement brings. "I've been reading and doing projects around the house, traveling and spending more time with friends and family." l As for the long-term? She has many tentative plans. "I've barely started! We'll see what happens." Interesting facts you might not know about Jane Donovan: l Her life-long commitment to supporting children with learning differences is inspired by her brother, "who was special and very smart," but struggled with conventional learning techniques. l When she joined the Latin School faculty in 1989 as a learning resources teacher, Donovan thought she was taking a part-time job. "I figured I'd be seeing a couple of kids a day," she said. "But it quickly became obvious that this was not a part-time job." l At the time there was only a lower school learning resources office. Donovan started the middle school program. l Donovan is a Renaissance woman. She makes jewelry, has an interest in fashion and loves to hike and ski. Her weakness is chocolate. l In retirement, Donovan hopes to continue her work: "I feel like I still have something to offer. Having had all this experience with these wonderful, unique children – I just know there's more for me to do." Currently she is working on an idea for a series of children's books about children with different learning styles. Victoria von Ammon lower school teacher & librarian "As a Michigander new to Chicago, Vicki made me feel welcome. Even more appreciated, she spent an entire eight-hour day helping me hang artwork in my new home! I respected her as an experienced colleague who loved Latin and each and every student. I will always value her opinion. She is a good listener and weighs all sides of an issue before making a decision or giving advice." – Karen Sweeney, lower school math enrichment teacher "If you were Ms. Donovan's student, she would do almost anything to help you. She was like my second mom at school. She always checked in to make sure that I was doing what I needed to do. I always knew she had my back." – Eli Bucksbaum '18 YEARS OF SERVICE YEARS OF SERVICE FAREWELLS: FA R E W E L L S Jane Donovan middle school learning resources teacher