SCHool Magazine Features

In the 1986 Springside yearbook, a student noted that teachers “spend time grading and sorting, planning, working, and sweating, just for us.” Some recognize the hard work of teachers in the moment, some upon reflection. Teachers don't just impart facts; they foster curiosity, encourage growth, and guide students toward their full potential.

From the early days of Chestnut Hill Academy (CHA) and Springside School to the unified Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, thousands of educators have committed their careers to nurturing young minds. Beyond their teaching, they are steadfast supporters and, said many former students, lifelong mentors.

Now, in hindsight, several alumni report just how influential their teachers were in their lives, both at school and beyond. Whether it was a chemistry teacher inspiring a student to start a school orchestra in the ’50s, a history teacher captivating a class with spellbinding World War II stories, or an athletic trainer instilling the confidence that shapes a future leader, their impact resonates for decades. These stories underscore the enduring bonds forged in this corner of Philadelphia.

JOSEPH HARRISON WORRALL
HISTORY, ASSISTANT
HEADMASTER
“Way back in 1955-56, J.Harrison Worrall was our history teacher. He made us boys
fascinated with world history, but of super fascination were his spellbinding stories of what happened during WWII when he was a captain of a PT boat in the Pacific on night patrol slipping
among the Japanese-held islands. You could hear a pin drop as we boys listened. He was our hero! 
–Jim Welchly ’57

THEODORE C. WRIGHT
WORLD LANGUAGES
“The late Theodore C. Wright, with whom I studied French beginning in the 8th grade, was crucial to my life and career. I was nothing if not a wise guy then, and he quickly came down
hard on me for that. I stewed with resentment for about a month, but then one day I realized I was really enjoying that class. …His example led me at that very young age to want to be a
teacher, as I was for 43 years, one of which was at (then) CHA, where I saw how hard he worked to prepare productive classes. We stayed in touch, and I persistently reminded him of how essential he had been for me.”
–Sydney Lea ’60

MARY STEINMETZ
MATH
“Mary Steinmetz taught us algebra and geometry. Our algebra was exponents, equations, graphing, and factoring. I especially liked word problems, such as speed calculations when rowing upstream against a current. We learned how to use a slide rule—obsolete today, but a
computing device that put a man on the moon.”
–Ernesta Ballard ’63

DOROTHY GERSON
MUSIC
“Mrs. Gerson was the instrumental music coordinator. Thanks to her, Springside had a music-plus program where musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra would come and perform chamber music with a student who got to perform Schubert’s Trout Quintet, coaching with them in Mrs. Gerson’s living room. When I learned a Beethoven concerto for a competition, Mrs. Gerson learned the orchestra accompaniment reduction so we could present it as a duo to the school.
As a professional musician for all of my life, I look back in gratitude on what I was given." 
–Anne Matlack ’77

DR. ANNETTE BEYER-MEARS ’59
BIOLOGY
“Dr. Mears made everything so clear and interesting. I finally found a subject and a teacher that I loved. I stayed in touch with Dr. Mears, and later she came to my wedding. Because of
Dr. Mears, I majored in biology at Syracuse University and then went on to Toro College to become a physician assistant. I practiced as a PA for over 30 years. I hope (SCH) has been able to continue to get such great teachers. She was one of a kind.”
–Wendy Heymann Solis ’72

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