A proud and well earned retirement after 39 years of teaching, including 25 in room 10 at Monterey Hills Elementary School in South Pasadena, Dawn Tull is fully convinced “I’ve had the best job ever!”
And the reason for it? “There was no one I would have rather spent my days with than my kids. No matter how old they are they will always be my kids!” she insisted, knowing a collection of them are well along in life now contributing to the workforce.
Prior to her arrival to Monterey Hills, one of three elementary schools in the city, Tull was an educator in South El Monte, Whittier, and Newhall. “As a result, I’ve taught all grades K-6, but 4th and 5th are my favorites,” added Tull, who was in a 4th/5th combination classroom down the stretch for much of her career.
Along the way during an illustrious run, she earned Teacher of the Year honors (2017/2018) in the South Pasadena Unified School District and was recognized by the Monterey Hills PTA on several occasions, including this year being presented the prestigious Golden Oak award. Tull was also selected by the California State Board of Education three times to work on state textbook adoptions for science, language arts, and history/social studies. In addition, the La Opinion newspaper recognized Tull in the past as “Maestra del Año” for her effort in teaching the art of writing to young people.
As a way of saying goodbye to the profession, a farewell event was held on a recent Friday night at the MHS campus as many past and present students she taught over the years, joined friends and family members, in acknowledging her dedication to instruction.
“For example, the past two years Maverick Moreno was in my class, and in 2005 his father Lawrence Moreno was a student in my class!” she recalled with a laugh. ”It was such a joy to connect with so many of my kids! Some even came from out of town! All the different groups were represented, including kids still in school, others about to go to or are home from college, as well as those who are working in careers and have families of their own.”
In the mix at the school gathering were Tull’s own children, Frannie and Henry, both of whom were students at one time in her classroom. On display were class photos from her years of service in the district, drawing plenty of onlookers. Frannie chipped into the fun by creating a playlist of songs that were all significant to her mother’s classes over the years, “like ones I always played or ones that different groups had performed,” Dawn said.
Perfectly named, adding to the festive scene, an ice cream/dessert truck called “Recess” was there to serve sweet treats.
It all added up to a memorable occasion for the popular teacher making her educational exit. “The atmosphere was joyful,” Tull summed up.
Asked how many students she has instructed since day one on the job, 39 years ago, Tull laughed, saying: “That would be quite a math problem to solve because I almost always had kids for more than one year. For example, my 4th graders would become my 5th graders the next year. When I taught in South El Monte, I had a 4/5/6 combo for a few years. I love teaching combination classes! In El Monte there were two students who I had for every grade 1-6! I kept changing grade levels and had them move with me. When I think of individual classes it seems like yesterday. I remember so much about each kid and what their strengths and weaknesses were.”
Now that nearly 40 years in teaching are behind her, what’s next for Tull as she looks ahead to retirement? “I am a musician and look forward to having more time to devote to that,” she replied. “I have a degree in classical flute performance. I’m also an avid genealogist and will be able to devote more time to research on my family ancestry.”
Admittedly, Tull knows a thing or two about genealogy. She is active in a group that traces family roots, which on a personal note goes back to a common ancestor named Micum McIntire, a Scottish prisoner of war who was deported to the East Coast of the United States from Scotland by Oliver Cromwell after the Battle of Dunbar on September 3, 1650.
“I will be able to be more active in this group as we all work to tie our research together,” Tull said, adding she will also be able to attend more of her husband’s performances, referring to Dave, a musical talent in his own right, who is “a fantastic jazz musician, singer.”
The departing teacher can’t completely walk away from the occupation that was such a big part of her life. “It’s really hard to leave, but I will continue to teach my robotics academy through SPEF (South Pasadena Educational Foundation),” said Tull, explaining she will be teaching after school one day a week at South Pasadena Middle School. “I also will continue to help with the MHS elementary band by teaching the kids who play the flute.”
And, oh yes, MHS students and teachers can expect to see her Friday, October 3, when the school holds its annual piano recital, which she established, featuring students showcasing their artistry on the keyboard as a full multipurpose room applauds each soloist.
Tull is making her exit from day-to-day teaching in the same year SPUSD Superintendent Geoff Yantz also retired after 11 years. Others in the district moving onto retirement include: Dennis Lefevre, executive director support serices,13 years; Michael Amerine, teacher/SPMS, 34 years; Emily Chiang, teacher SPHS, 24; Maryann Nielsen, teacher SPHS, 20; Belinda Diaz, teacher, Marengo, 24 years; Lalo Valdivia, skilled maintenance, 20 years; Pedro Pinedo, skilled maintenance worker in the maintenance and operations department; 26 years; and Jerry Lew, custodian, Marengo, 13 years.
“I loved my job teaching,” Tull concluded. “Working with kids is absolutely the best occupation in the world! You never know what the day may bring, and what someone will say or do. Truly never a dull moment! I always loved planning enriching lessons and experiences for the kids. I’ve always imagined that teaching is similar to doing stand-up comedy. You must keep your audience hooked all the time! I always worked hard to motivate them and spark their curiosity.”
And, in making her departure, she added: “Thank you! I always had the best students and classes. They made my days such a pleasure!”
