All teachers handle their jobs in a unique way, but a great teacher treats students as equals. Great teachers teach for pleasure, and not just for money. They alter their student’s thinking and their ways of figuring things out. They have a passion for sharing their wisdom. They impact their students’ lives in a way that their students will never forget.  According to her students and her peers, retiring Theatre and Debate teacher Roslyn Houghton is such a teacher.

In the 18 years Houghton has taught at BHS, she has brought both the Debate and Theatre departments to unprecedented heights, including the 2007 One Act Play’s second place state performance and Class of 2009’s Trista Bishop and Erik Scott’s win at the State Debate Tournament.

Yet, despite these achievements, Houghton is cherished because she teaches not only about her curriculum, but also her life experiences.

“Her values and perspective are what I admire,” junior debater Ian Taulli said. “She taught about people and life, she balanced me and she gave me the opportunities to succeed in life, not just school.”

Houghton’s love of teaching extends beyond the classroom and several of her students mentioned that she has become a second mother to the. Some have even taken to calling her “Mama Houghton”.

                “She’s more than a teacher, she’s a second mother,” senior debater and actress Brynn Hicks said. “I know that if I needed her to drive across the country, she would.”

               Houghton’s legacy is also evident in some of her peers.  Advanced Placement US History teacher Ginger Postert was one of Houghton’s students and is now working alongside her.

               “She changed my fear of public speaking, and that’s one of the best things that could’ve happened to me,” Postert said. “She cares so much about her students as well as her colleagues and that’s what makes her great. She’s a lot of fun.”

               Houghton’s students’ achievements qualify her as a great teacher, but her willingness to share her life experience makes her more of a mentor to her students.  In interviewing her students, there was not one who said that she did not affect more than their academic life.

               “For Mrs. Houghton, you don’t just memorize lines and goof off. It’s more than that,” senior actor Justin Lema said. “She made (theatre) a family. She made a class that teaches you about life, and I can guarantee that I will take more from her than any other teacher.”

               As her eyes filled with tears, Houghton described her favorite memory from the 2007 State Championship One Act Play competition.  Parents of the winning students as well as her students from past years were gathered with her at the competition to see the BHS students perform. Afterwards, they gathered in a circle, holding hands around their second place trophy and together they sang “May the Circle be Unbroken.”

                Though most of her students are devastated by her retirement, they know how much she deserves it.

                Houghton has both short and long term plans for her life after retirement.  This summer, Houghton has a Mediterranean cruise planned with her family and soon after they return, she is visiting Costa Rica with just her husband Zeke. Traveling is one of the things that Houghton plans to do much more often after she retires.

               Long term, Houghton intends on staying involved in the school and its extracurricular activities. She hopes to substitute and stay active in the BHS theatre program. Students who fear that they will never see Mrs. Houghton again can rest assured; she will never be out of reach.