For four of our beloved teachers, the 2014 school year will be their last. Dr. Handy, Mr. Cerveny, Mrs. Belinko, and Mr. Neumer will be retiring.
Mr. Cerveny has been teaching 34 years, 18 of them spent at Bel Air. He currently teaches Geometry, and Applications of Computer Technology although he has taught many more math classes over the years. In his time at Bel Air he has coached track, volleyball, baseball and football. He was also involved in the SIT team, Comic Book club, and engineering team.
Mr. Cerveny said, “My favorite memory at Bel Air was when I coached Track. We were one of the top teams in the state, and that was very cool.”
The one thing that Mr. Cerveny will miss the most is the students and the teachers at Bel Air. After he retires, he plans to move to either Delaware or Los Angeles with his wife.
Mrs. Belinko has been teaching for 40 years, all of which have been at Bel Air High School. She is one of the only teachers who have spent her entire teaching career at Bel Air. Over the 40 years, she has taught all levels of 11th grade English, and a few years at 12th grade as well. She has also been the junior class advisor, senior class advisor, and prom sponsor. She currently teaches AP English 11 and Yearbook.
Mrs. Belinko said, “My favorite memory would be student interaction in general.” She said there are so many great memories that she has had at Bel Air, that she cannot possibly name one specific memory. The thing she’ll miss most is her classroom. She said, “I like my classroom a lot. That will do it for me.”
As of now, Mrs. Belinko doesn’t have any plans in place for after retirement, and she’s looking at this upcoming summer as “just another summer.” Right now she is looking forward to relaxing. “Eventually I’ll have to find something to do, or I’ll go nuts,” Mrs. Belinko said.
Mr. Neumer has been working at BAHS for 18 years. He has taught Senior Government and U.S. History for 9 years, before becoming a guidance counselor for 9 years. He has also run Stars Club, The Ski Club, and earned $10.5 million for seniors through scholarship workshops over his 18 years.
Mr. Neumer said one of his favorite memories at Bel Air was back in October of 2001. He was an AP Government Teacher, and was taking his students on a field trip to the Maryland State House. The students sat at the desks of the senators, listened to speakers, took a tour of the state house, etc. After the class had left Annapolis and were on their way home, an urgent message was received that there was a mysterious white powder sitting on the desks in the Senate Chamber. The students were given strict directions by the state police, NOT TO GET OFF THE BUS. Because of recent Anthrax threats and the fear of terrorist’s spreading Anthrax, the government was fearful that the mysterious powder contained the deadly virus of anthrax. The bus was not able to release until 4:00, after testing the powder and discovering that it was coffee creamer.
Mr. Neumer says the thing he will miss most is, “the kids. Even the knuckle heads. I love working with all of them. I enjoy getting involved in situations where there is seemingly no answer. I really enjoy that. Seeing the smiles is very satisfying.”
After he retires, he plans to move to his house on the bay and spend his time fishing.
Dr. Handy has been teaching for 39 years, 24 of them at Bel Air. Over the years he has taught US History, Contemporary Issues, Law in America, AP Art History, and SAT Prep. He currently teaches AP U.S History. One of his favorite memories at Bel Air High School was when he and 12 students worked together in 2002 to design a proposal for the 9-11 Memorial. It was submitted and parts of their design were included in the memorial. One of the things he will miss most is the student interaction. He has three children that he himself has taught over the years, and he enjoyed that very much.
After he retires, Dr. Handy will continue to teach with the College Board at Goucher College and Manhattan College. He will also teach with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York.
The work these teachers have done over their years of service at BAHS is irreplaceable and they will be truly missed.