Retirement: Mrs. Conroy, our beloved biology teacher – hudexplorernews.org

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Mrs. Conroy is a beloved teacher at Hudson High School. She teaches AP Biology and H2BE, a mixed Honors Biology and Honors English 9 course in which students take two backpacking trips each year.
H2BE was a class created by Mrs. Conroy and Mrs. Stiffler. She explains how it began: “H2BE got started when Mrs. Stiffler asked me to go on summer hiking overnight trips with her journalism class. The second year she invited me, she proposed the idea of making a co-taught class … at which point I told her she was crazy. The next year, we wrote curriculum, applied for various grants (we were awarded about $20,000) to purchase equipment for backpacking, had students apply (there were 80 applicants for 30 positions), filled out field trip forms, and we have not looked back. This is currently our eighth year. Mr. Baker will continue the tradition next year!”
H2BE is a well-loved class. The class includes two hiking trips, one that is one night and another that is four nights. The course load is decently challenging, but students get a lot out of what they learn, and it is an easy way to make friends. Mrs. Conroy commented, “Also, lifelong friendships have formed in our class and have had many positive, impactful events in students’ lives. Students have reported that they have made so many memories with students who were originally not in their friend group.”
The class is also important because, as Mrs. Conroy says, “Students not only continue to learn life skills, they become very competent at preparing their own food, cleaning up after themselves, packing and unpacking their belongings. Students become more independent and aware of their impact on the environment. I know these lessons will pay dividends to each student in the future, and this just warms my heart.” The class teaches students how to become independent and self-sufficient. It is a very unique class in this way. Mrs. Conroy added, “And a shoutout to my co-teacher, Mrs. Stiffler, for thinking (well, maybe dreaming) outside of the box. Developing this class has been exciting, exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. I have gained a lifelong friend, too!”
Even though things like tick bites, sprained ankles or cut toes can happen, Mrs. Conroy mentions that the class has a great environment, with outdoor learning time and a blend of English and biology.
Besides H2BE, Mrs. Conroy also teaches AP Biology and was the gymnastics coach for 10 years. It was one of her favorite experiences. She said, “I coached gymnastics; one year as an assistant and then nine years as the head coach. We had the same winter season as wrestling, so my gymnastics team and the wrestlers supported each other at multiple meets. The wrestlers even cheered for me — ha ha. Plus, my mom ran the small concession stand and was my biggest supporter!”
Her favorite AP Biology memory is: “I have taught AP Biology for 20 years. Going from a double period each day to a single period was challenging and fun. So many stories and memories: from Momroy’s babies to 7/8 Foodies to Conroy’s Buns (referring to my homemade cinnamon rolls), to corn talk, to Conroy’s muffins, just to name a few classes. Somehow, we always focused around homemade food and the farm — two important things: cooking/baking and farm life!” AP Biology is a tough class, but Mrs. Conroy makes it engaging and fun.
One biology unit she did stands out as her favorite. She said, “One year (maybe my second or third year of teaching), I had a biology unit called ‘Bonfire Biology.’ We learned about organic compounds in the classroom, and then we built a bonfire during the school day (parents dropped off wood) and donated food so students could taste the food groups: carbs (bread), proteins (hot dogs and hot chocolate) and s’mores!”
After her retirement, she has many plans. “I do not have any plans for slowing down. I plan to visit many national parks and spend time with my family. I grew up on a dairy farm in Mantua, Ohio, and I plan on having a large garden this summer and canning my harvest (tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, beets, beans and pickles). I have not ruled out substitute teaching, but that is not at the forefront at the moment. My daughter, Sarah, is getting married this summer, and my son, Joey, will be starting college in the fall. Maybe in August, I will have time to breathe before I start my next career. No matter what direction my life takes me, I will still be learning, laughing, listening and reflecting on that journey. It has been a great voyage!”
Mrs. Conroy will be missed at Hudson High School, and it seems she has many exciting plans for retirement.
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