Four Teachers Retire from the La Cañada Unified School District

Four retiring teachers were honored by Superintendent Jim Stratton, the Governing Board and the District staff at the end-of-the-year breakfast on Thursday morning, June 21.

Randy Boal, longtime coach, athletic director and social science teacher, has been with the district for 35 years. He was the first walk-on coach for frosh football in 1972 and within two years became a classroom teacher. Randy taught a range of subjects including government, economics, American history, regional studies, algebra I, physical geography and introduction to social sciences.

In addition to 16 years of coaching football at all levels, Boal coached girls’ basketball at different levels for a total of eleven seasons and started the girls’ softball program in 1976.

Boal is also widely recognized by parents and students as the athletic director. Over the years, he has reminded his students to “enjoy high school to the fullest because you only get one opportunity at it.” Boal has lived in LC for 48 years. His wife Marsha and son Erik are both graduates of La Cañada High School.

Kathy apRoberts has worked for the district for eighteen years, most of those years at La Cañada Elementary School. She spent her first ten years teaching fourth grade at LCE and then Principal Lily Ogden encouraged her to become the LCE Teacher Specialist. “I am the most proud of the work I did in that role where I was able to support students, parents and staff. LCE is a special place for so many reasons including the teachers, staff, principals, parents, grandparents and of course our dear students,” apRoberts said. Both her husband and sons attended LCE.

ApRoberts has spent the last three years at LCHS 7/8 teaching 7th grade history. She reported, “I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the classroom working with the 7th grade students.” Her favorite quote is from Mark Twain, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

Jill Waters began her career at La Cañada High School as a substitute teacher for four years and continued as a classroom teacher for seventeen years. Waters taught all levels of physics including AP and Honors physics. She reported that this year she had “a record 52 students taking AP Physics, of which 17 were female. Many are going to major in engineering or sciences at college. I feel very proud of these talented young people. They follow many former LCHS students who have been very successful in scientific careers. It has been a great pleasure to teach them all.”

In addition to physics, Waters sponsored the Science Club for three years and helped chaperone the Yosemite Institute field trip for ten years. Waters’ sons, John and David, both graduated from La Cañada High School.

From La Cañada Elementary School, Tracy Hughes is also retiring after 15 years in the district. She taught second grade for many years and was an early advocate of technology to enhance classroom learning. She served on a number of school committees over the years including various technology committees and School Site Council. Like Mr. Boal, Mrs. apRoberts, and Mrs. Waters, Mrs. Hughes is also a resident of La Cañada.

Superintendent Jim Stratton said, “As a District, we are fortunate to have enjoyed the many talents of these master teachers. Students in the district continue to receive a dynamic classroom education and extracurricular program because these teachers, and many others like them, have given tremendous time, talent and energy to the schools.”