Don’t Walk Away, Renée
Throughout the last five years of her contribution to the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Ms. Voorhees has developed a reputation with her voice. Fondly referred to by students on a first name basis as “Renée,” Mrs. Voorhees has been an avid librarian, ensuring the well-being of all students within the library. Through her caring reminders to keep our voices low, be studious, and treat the library with care, Ms. Voorhees has been a symbolic maternal figure of the library.
One may wonder why she is retiring after working five years at a school where she fits in so well. When asked about the seemingly spontaneous action, Ms. Voorhees replies, “I want to find new opportunities where I can grow…opportunities where I can make a difference.” In fact, having grown up in a small town in Minnesota, Ms. Voorhees decided to spend time in different areas of the country to expose herself to different customs and lifestyles. Though she has always been a librarian, Ms. Voorhees has worked at several schools, always spending five to six years at each school in order to gain a new experience. She says, “The opportunities are endless for communicating with people, not only in our own school, but around the world.”
Ms. Voorhees has always demonstrated care for the students in the library. Part of this concern originates from her son’s experience with the choice school program. She says, “I see kids differently than teachers might see a student. I’m aware of the human dynamics in the library. I know when kids are having good, bad, or stressed days.” Her ability to sense the feelings of the students has enabled her to make the library a calmer and better place for students to study.
Nearly all the students of AB have been touched in some way by her desire to keep the library an efficient place within the school. Students can affectionately look back at the time (or possibly several times) Ms. Voorhees asked them to leave the library in order to make it a quieter and better place for other students to study. Ms. Voorhees says, “I really value commitment to excellence, but at the same time, I think that… we don’t do enough to create opportunities for [students who are not in Honors or AP classes].” As the library is open to all students within the school, it is the perfect place for Ms. Voorhees to create those opportunities for everyone.
Ms. Voorhees has been just as influential on the lives of teachers as on their students. As English teacher Ms. Lenington says, “What a gift Renée has been to the school! She takes the visions of teachers and students and makes them real.” One of the two teachers of the pilot Senior Project English classes, Lenington goes on, “She brings a creative intelligence, a passion for learning, and a ‘this can be solved’ serenity to every situation. Without her help, the Senior Project would not have been possible.” Ms. Hammond, English teacher and The Spectrum advisor, says, “I can honestly say that Renée has no bigger fans than the entire English and History departments. New teachers in particular have quickly found an ally and co-teacher in Renée, and we’re all going to miss her tremendously.”
Ms. Voorhees’ determination to help all students explains the tattooed letter “B” on her right ankle. She says, “The tattoo letter B stands for ‘broad,’ as in don’t mess with the librarian broad. Five [of my] friends all got it tattooed because we all fit the noun definition of broad.” A broad is a woman who is determined to abide by her principles, and given her efforts to improve the library throughout the years, Ms. Voorhees certainly fits the definition.
Since her arrival, the library has grown rapidly in terms of technology. She says, “We had five computers here when I started five years ago. Now we have twenty [in the library itself] plus the adjoining lab.” Speaking about other improvements, she says, “We will have a catalog next year. We also have to think about limiting what kids do but still enabling them – for example, not using the school network and blocking YouTube.” Ms. Voorhees recognizes the library’s need to keep up with the modern technology that the students use in order to help them achieve their potential.
When asked about her advice to the parting senior class, Ms. Voorhees refers to her experiences within several different communities. She says, “It’s not about you, it’s about who you depend on, like your family, your mentors, and your teachers, and who depends on you. That’s what graduation is: remembering you’re part of a greater society.” Her advice rings true through her actions, as Ms. Voorhees has definitely shown a care for those around her within the AB community.
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Ms. Voorhees was probably the coolest librarian ever.