Schools
Educator of the Year: Understanding Adds Up
The Swampscott School District recognized its Teacher of the Year Tuesday.
Years ago Swampscott High math teacher Chris Ratley started addressing his students with the title Dr. before their name.
The quirk became tradition.
Tuesday the tables were turned when the 25-year SHS veteran teacher's signature salutation came back to him.
The Swampscott School District introduced their 2013 Educator of the Year as Dr. Chris Ratley.
While Chris does not have a paper Ph.d, he is a doctor in the eyes of students, fellow teachers and administrators for the easy manner with which he communicates with them.
Student School Committee representative Tristan Smith said the teacher was a reassuring presence and indispensable as chaperone on a recent student trip to Nicaragua.
School Committee member Ted Delano, a former student of Chris, saluted his teaching skills and personality.
Chris started teaching in 1973.
His advice to a teacher starting in 2013?
"It's important to try to understand the students," he said in an interview.
The phrase "students come first" might be overused but there is truth to it, he said.
He tries to put the students first, helping to prepare them for the future.
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