“Don’t cheat! Remember your soul.” This famous phrase is stated before every exam or test given by a kind, gentle spirit that students at Seminole have grown to love. Her English classes, since 1980, have been exposed to “sucks to your ass-mar,” from the Lord of the Flies, 12 Angry Men being very angry, and numerous vocabulary lessons. Unfortunately, this cheerful, devoted, teacher has retired from her duties at Seminole High School.
As of December 16, 2011, Mrs. Mary G. Stokes taught her last semester at Seminole. With many memories over the last few decades, she has defined herself as one of the most dedicated teachers and individuals on campus. Born and raised in Sanford, Stokes graduated from Seminole in 1970, establishing the beginning of her legacy here at school. Mrs. Stokes, when describing the beginning of her career at Seminole, said, “I was a typist, and then applied for a position as a secretary in 1973. I worked for a wonderful principal, Mr. Don T. Reynolds as his secretary.” Though she had originally planned on teaching business, she enrolled in her first literature class in college and knew that she wanted to change her focus to becoming an English teacher.
Stokes enjoys being an English teacher; she has taught every level of English from Standard to Honors, 9th grade through 12th grade. For the past ten years, however, she has taught English II Standard and Honors for the Academy of Health Careers magnet program. “I have always taught, but in addition, I have worked for the Educational Institute, part-time, and wrote brochures for educational videos and learning seminars.”
For Stokes, English is a vital course that will impact students in various ways, and she has enjoyed teaching it. “English is communication in all forms; it is how we touch each other and how we pass on life lessons,” said Stokes. “It is how we write and formulate our dreams, desires, and knowledge. English is something that each person uses every day, every moment with each other.”
In regards to departing from Seminole, she believes that Seminole represents her life and is her home away from home. “It is the place I have evolved professionally, as well as personally. My life has been here. My friends are here. My children graduated from here. I have felt so connected to my community at this institution. It is not just any school for me, it is an extension of my life.”
Stokes has had many memorable, and proud moments here at Seminole. “One of my proudest moments, without a doubt, was when my son, Jeremiah, graduated in 2003. I was on the stage because I was Teacher of the Year and had the chance to shake his hand as he received his diploma. It meant so much to me and it is something that I will never forget.”
Certainly, Stokes will be missed by her fellow staff members, but most importantly her students. Junior Ethan Andrews said, “I am going to miss her a lot because she was so sweet and nice. I would like to tell her that she is the nicest teacher I’ve ever had and I’m glad I got to have her before she retired.” Junior Christianna Hurt said, “She helped students no matter what their situation. Her positivity helped me more than anything. I’ll always miss her uplifting personality.” Also senior Dorian Hooks said, “She taught me to look beyond the words in a book or poem, to help me achieve a better understanding of literature. I will miss her crazy antics in class. She really did make learning fun.”
Stokes will also miss her students and friends she has made over the years, “I will miss seeing my students every day and my colleagues. I asked Mr. Reynolds many years ago, ‘How did a teacher know when it was time to leave teaching?’ He told me that on the first day of school each year, if the excitement of the students, and the odor of new shoes and book bags did not make a teacher enthused and ready to roll, then it was no longer the career to be involved in. That made such an impression on me. I have always been as excited and happy that first day as every student on campus, every year. It had never faltered for me.”
Nevertheless, she believes she will always be involved here at Seminole, “I will always ‘be’ present at Seminole, in one way or another. I have so many connections here.” She plans on staying busy at her home in Sorrento. “Perhaps I will have a chance to finish writing the novel I have been working on for a while now.”
Seminole means so much to Stokes, and she values the past few decades she has spent here. “Seminole High School is the best school in the county and we all should be proud of the fact that we have had the opportunity to be here. Being a member of this community has grounded me and I hope that everyone feels that as well. We are a family, in every sense of the word. It is not just a job or a place we meet. It is important to remember that every single day we have an opportunity to make our environment a more positive place by ‘being there’ for each other … no matter what.”