English teacher retires after 24 years

Margaret Oliphant
Video Editor

Having taught every English class except journalism and film appreciation, English teacher Rita Chapman retired after 24 years.

Chapman has taught throughout her whole career at Webster Groves High School, coming to this school on recommendation from a teacher in her masters program at UMSL, after a teacher quit right before school began after summer break.

Chapman also started the advanced placement program for English in 2006, and was a chair for the department from 2008-2018, working as both a teacher and manager and as a liaison to the administration. Every English teacher in Webster Groves High School teaches under Chapman’s curriculum.

“I’m not sure if I would have been hired [through an interview]. Back then we had 300 people applying for an English position,” Chapman said.

“She was one of my favorite teachers. She got me back into writing, even though she doesn’t know that,” said senior Layla Salmon, who had Chapman her freshman year.

“[Her teaching style] makes you draw your own conclusions,” senior James Duckett said.

“I’ll miss her. I really enjoyed her creative writing class,” senior Nate Tevlin said.

“I have always loved her approach to teaching and learning and how to stay sane. Her dry sense of humor really works on me,” long-time friend and math teacher Eric Dunn said.

“There’s nothing really more for me to do in teaching. I’ve done all there is,” Chapman said.

Chapman looks forward to a new phase of life and education at Webster Groves.