Shannon Hyde, who has been a physical education teacher for the past 25 years, is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year. She has taught at Windsor since 2012. Here is a Q&A with the beloved teacher:

What were your favorite teaching moments? 

I like being in the classroom and participating with kids but my most favorite moments are spending time outside the classroom. I love coaching and seeing my athletes succeed. I also enjoy working and going to the sporting events that I do not coach. Just seeing my students have fun and enjoying life outside the classroom.

What did Windsor mean to you? 

Windsor has been my second family and home since 2012. The student and family bonds I have made here will last a lifetime.

Have you taught anywhere else? 

I spent my first 13 years of teaching in the Mehlville School District at Washington Middle School. I first taught at Washington and was coaching track and field here at Windsor 1999-2003. In 2003-2004, I was hired at Mehlville High School to coach Cross Country and Track and Field. I stayed there and coached until 2012 when I was hired at Windsor High School as a Physical Education and Health teacher. I also came back to coach the distance side of things here at Windsor High School. I took a short break from coaching to watch my children play high school sports but have returned and will finish out my coaching career at WHS as assistant cross country coach and distance track coach.

What is your favorite thing about coaching? 

My favorite thing about coaching is the relationships I build with my athletes. I have become friends with several athletes I have coached in the past and I love seeing them grow and have families of their own. I also enjoy watching them succeed and reach goals they never thought they would.

How long have you been teaching? 

This is my 25th year of teaching. 13 years at the middle school level and 12 years at the high school level.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? 

I loved sports and kids so what better job could I have. Plus I still get to be a kid myself. I was always told to find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life. I have loved being a physical education teacher and coach over the past 25 years.

How do you think teaching has changed over the years? 

I don’t know if teaching has changed much but definitely the students have. I would say that when I started teaching we had Apple II E’s in the classroom. Technology has come a long way to help teachers out. I can’t imagine how it will be 10 years from now with AI and other technological advances.

Has any student left a special impact on you? 

I have several students who have made a lasting impression on me and I hope I have left one of them as well. Teaching has been very rewarding.

What advice would you give to new teachers? 

Build strong relationships with your students. Do not ever prejudge a student by what someone else has told you, you just might be the teacher who brings out the best in those students. Don’t ever be too serious, relax.

What are your plans after retirement? 

My retirement plan is to relax, travel, go fishing with my Dad and at some point work a part time job. More than likely I will go back into a hospital setting. I would love to work in a children’s hospital. Before becoming a teacher, I was a CNA.

What do you think needs to change in education moving forward? 

Kids are growing up too fast. Graduating early, working too early….I just wish they would slow down, enjoy school activities and just be a kid a little while longer. I always tell my students it’s great that you are driven and want to work but you have your entire life to work, enjoy all four years of high school.