When walking through the English hallway during the start of class, maybe you hear discussions of the latest book the class is reading, the sighs of students who are required to do their Membean practice, or maybe the class is in absolute silence.
But if you’re slowly walking past room 103, you will often hear the harmonized singing of 30 students and one educator singing “Happy Birthday” in complete unison.
You might be thinking to yourself: “What honors English class would start class with singing?”
Well, that shows that you haven’t had a class with Mrs. Ingerham yet.
Mrs. Ingerham has been an English teacher here at Gibbons for the last 10 years, but this year she announced her retirement from teaching.
Not only does this make a huge impact on our community as a whole, but seeing her go has taken a big hit on the English department.
Many students dread walking through the busy halls to go to English class. Many times, students sit there and only listen to their teacher’s instructions, but this is not the case for Ingerham.
With her “kind heart and soul,” Ingerham is an important pillar of the English department, said Mrs. Rokia. Ingerham’s 32 years in education have included different grades of students.
“I taught at six other schools, some elementary, some middle, some high, but it is a whole different experience teaching at a religious school,” said Ingerham.
This school year, Ingerham teaches AP English Language and Composition and English 10 Honors.
Teaching rigorous classes, especially one as difficult as AP Lang, is a challenge for most teachers, especially when you want to get students excited about writing but also need to maintain a schedule to make sure your students are prepared for the national exam.
“I was worried about taking this class and heard a lot of people saying it was really difficult. Of course, it was still challenging at times, but Ms. Ingerham always explained things in a way that made sense for me and allowed everything to click,” said Charlotte Leach, one of her AP students.
Ingerham exemplifies a talent that most educators strive for, making a student excited about going to class. This is a huge reason why students are passionate about what they do, because they have a teacher like Ingerham who pushes them and explains things in a way that everyone can understand.
Faith being integrated into a subject like English can be a challenge for some teachers, but Ingerham’s willingness to talk about religious ideas in her class has influenced other English educators.
“She has encouraged me to bring in elements of faith wherever, and have students active, and thinking about faith in the world around them and in the books that we read,” said English educator, Mr. Blake.
Literature can be a huge example of the questions that arise in Catholicism, and as an English educator, Ingerham believes that it is key that students talk about it, even when it is difficult.
“Any literature is an opportunity to talk about the eternal question, and being a faith-based school allows us to explore that with hope and a sense of peace because there is so much that is uncertain, but because we have the Lord, we can trust in his perfect will,” said Ingerham.
Different characteristics of Christ’s love have influenced Ingerham’s words and actions, and according to the English department, it has helped them unify their community.
Ingerham served as the department chair for English, and during that time, it was not only her mission to advance the program – her No. 1 priority was to check up on her fellow educators.
“She is the one who always checks in when something is not going well. She has been so great to me at different times,” said Blake.
She is also responsible for creating the English group chat, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among all English educators, they collectively agree that this group chat has helped them stay in touch, even outside of school and during the summer.
Unifying the department has helped foster friendships among educators. For English educator Mrs. Rokita, her friendship with Ingerham will be unforgettable.
“I would call her a really dear friend, and she is an amazing storyteller. I will miss her,” said Rokita.
Whether it was talking before classes started, discussing their favorite author, or just chatting about what is new in their lives, Rokita expresses gratitude for Ingerham as a relationship she will hold close to her heart.
However, above the English department, and all the other duties that an educator holds here at Gibbons, the most important part of teaching here is the students.
“When I walk into the building in the morning, students smile at me, sometimes students I don’t even know, and that is very precious, and of course I will miss that very much,” said Ingerham.
The love Ingerham holds for her students is visible through the way she teaches, and the care she has for her students, always being the first person to help with any academic, spiritual, or personal issues.
Whether you have never met Mrs. Ingerham, or you are one of her past students, the love for the Gibbons community is why she is one of our most beloved educators over the past 10 years.
