Today's Featured Biography

 
Martha Shanley Hass

Life after PHS ’61.

Went to college – finished college, raced to Boston to live with my best Portsmouth buddy, Linda Cotillo. Couldn’t find a job teaching high school history so taught 1st grade in the South End of Boston. Linda and I had many adventures – similar to a number of nights at Surf Haven pizza – including frequent ski trips, must have trips to Puerto Rico and with Jane Famiano – one riotous three week trip across Europe. But back to the career and what paid the bills - loved my students and their families, got active in the community to improve education for students whose first language was other than English. Spent nine years in teaching and administration in the Boston Public Schools and left as Director of Bilingual Education. Married, later divorced, had three children, Jamie, Katie and Michael. Needed to “do something more” in those child-rearing years. Volunteered on political campaigns in MA in the 80s’ and 90s’ all Democrats and liberal!!!!!!! Went to work in the Attorney General’s office in MA working as Outreach Director to constituency groups including women, minorities, gays and lesbians and persons with disabilities. Headed next for the MA Department of Education to oversee a program that supported career and technical students making a successful transition to and completion of a community college degree. Spent 12 years there, retired in November 2006. Transitioned to life as an “educational consultant” and in December 2006, contracted with the Museum of Science in Boston to work on a National Science Foundation grant. The grant focuses on working with community college faculty on integrating engineering and technology in courses taken by elementary education preparation students. It is a fantastic project and keeps me just busy enough.

My children are the best – and I am sure like all – give me great joy and many opportunities to hold my breath!!!!!!! All three spent many hours on the ski slopes but somehow managed to graduate from UVM. Both Jamie and Michael are in the construction business and Katie is a lawyer. Jamie and Katie are married, Michael engaged and so far there are six grandchildren – 9 months to 12 years. For me, there is nothing like filling in the NCAA brackets with Andrew my nine year old super jock or playing pretend princess with 5 year old Maddie Mae – she who must be obeyed. They make me smile. I spend much time with them and have started to rent in the summer at Rye Beach so that they can appreciate the wonderful coastline that we all so often took for granted.

Jane Famiano, Linda Cotillo and I get together. Talk always returns to PHS and some of the best and funniest days of our lives.

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