AN OPUS - CELEBRATING ANN B. RHINES
“When I learned that my all-time favorite elementary school teacher, Ann Rhines, had just retired from the Board of Ed, and an event honoring her would include former students, I immediately hopped on. A Hunter grad transported to the ‘burbs, Mrs. Rhines was and is a genuine powerhouse who nurtured generations of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, sussing out our fledgling ambitions, instilling confidence, and reliably having our backs — e.g. marching a student rejected during school-band tryouts back to the music room and persuading the maestro to give him a chance (that boy is now a highly regarded rock-n-roll drummer… ).
The celebration was held in the MHS auditorium, where many of us attended school assemblies, where I'd seen my best friend since Hillcrest days star in "Once Upon a Mattress," and where I received my diploma so many moons ago. Several speakers brought the books they'd written, illustrated, hand-bound and “published” as students in Mrs. Rhines' homeroom. The event concluded with a screening of Mrs. R's favorite movie — “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” I'll forever treasure the photo her daughter Debbie Sontupe snapped during the reception: Flanked by me and Chip Rae (one of the invited speakers, as well as my MHS yearbook co-editor), the indomitable, indefatigable, inspiring Ann Rhines.”
--Laura Matthews, MHS ‘71
On April 24, 2022, over 100 former students, colleagues, friends and family were welcomed to Morristown High School to honor Ms. Ann Rhines, who after 60 years of service to the Morris School District as an educator, volunteer, and Board of Education member, retired from the BOE in December 2021. The Salute to Teachers - An Opus - Celebrating Ann B. Rhines was an afternoon filled with joy and appreciation to celebrate the profession of teaching and excellence in education, in so many amazing ways.
Photo: Daniel Coppola, LORS Photography
The atrium was filled with displays of artwork and messages from students of all ten District schools thanking their teachers for their kindness, support and dedication. This would not have been possible without the incredible support and direction of an MSD Visual Arts teacher, Elizabeth Ostendorp.
Photo: Daniel Coppola, Lors Photography
The town of Morristown made a proclamation that April 24th is now Ann B. Rhines Day, which was presented by former mayor and student, Jay Delaney. A TEAM teacher award was created in Ann’s name to recognize two educators annually who embrace the spirit of Ann Rhines. The Education Association of Morris, unveiled this new “Ann Rhines Exemplary Educator Award.”
Photo: Daniel Coppola, Lors Photography
The Rhines/Sontupe family along with other founding donors and event registrations established The Ann Rhines Fund for Teaching in which $100,000 will be dedicated to underwrite efforts toward the recruitment, development and support of our teachers, with Ann’s vision and guidance. As her granddaughter, Rosie, said in presenting the gift: "We can't wait to see what you do with it, Grandma!"
In addition to how the Rhines/Sontupe family gift builds a culture of philanthropy in our MSD community, the fund will also aim to codify the "Ann Rhines Approach" so that it can be shared with future generations of teachers.
A good teacher can have so much impact on a young person's life. We all had that special teacher. Ann Rhines was that teacher for every single student she had. This fact was movingly conveyed by testimonies of former colleagues, parents and students shared in person and in a video presentation. The theme in every story was how Ann Rhines voraciously believed in our young people, especially when no one else did. As Dr. Thomas Ficarra, District Interim Superintendent coined – “she's our own notorious ABR!”
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Ann Rhines for a tremendous career – one that will not be forgotten, but certainly emulated!
To donate to The Ann Rhines Fund for Teaching and further support teachers in the Morris School District, click here.
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