As the school year begins to come to a close and summer inches closer, excitement builds on the Taft campus. For some, however, the end of this semester marks the end of their time at Taft (and I am not just talking about seniors). At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Luz Lara will pack up her office for the final time after nineteen years of teaching at Taft and over forty years in the profession.
Señora Lara began teaching in Medellín, Colombia, during her third year of college.
However, her aspirations to teach did not start there. When asked why she decided to be a teacher, she replied, “I wanted to be a teacher since I was three years old. I used to play with my dolls, and later played with my little brothers and cousins. I never considered a different profession.”
As one of her students, I strongly believe Ms. Lara was always destined to teach. If you do not know her, her advice to new teachers should speak to that statement: “I believe this is a profession that requires a lot of passion. You need to love what you do. Every day is a new experience, and as educators, we must be open to learning from our students and know how to balance high expectations, education, and constant support for our students. For me, being demanding with kindness is key.” She also encourages openness and willingness to listen because “Each student has taught [her] something and allowed [her] to become a better person.”
That passion and kindness can be seen woven throughout everything Ms. Lara has done at Taft: she has been a pillar of the language department and helped with class trips. Outside of the classroom, she has coached tennis, and shaped the lives of countless students, all while in the best of outfits (my all time favorite has to be her Cruella DeVille costume on Halloween my sophomore year).
When asked what she would miss most about Taft, Ms. Lara gave an expansive list, speaking to how involved she has been on campus: “I will truly miss my advisees, many of my colleagues who have offered me their friendship, a greeting, or a smile. I will miss the moments of interaction with my dear friend Mrs. Santos, from whom I have learned many wonderful things that I will carry with me always. I will miss the fall and spring afternoons, playing tennis with many students and some of my colleagues, the trips as a chaperone with Mr. Thompson, and the dining hall staff, who have always treated me with great kindness. I will especially miss Mr. Tom Albon, who, every time I had a problem at home, would fix it immediately.”
Ms. Lara’s teaching journey does not end here, however. In her retirement, Ms. Lara is dedicating herself to multiple forms of community service. She is returning to an institution in Medellín, Colombia, where she has previous experience, to spend several months assisting children and the elderly with special needs while simultaneously raising funds and searching for sponsors. Additionally, she will be collaborating with missions in Kenya and developing a volunteer work plan at the Avon Library in Connecticut.
Congratulations on your retirement, Señora Lara! You will be deeply missed and always remembered. There is no one more deserving than you!
