Teacher Talk, Vol. 4: Learn About Mrs. RT!

Mrs. Meredith Rieseck-Terrracio is definitely a staple of OLSH’s History and has helped make OLSH what it is today. I sat down with her to talk about her time here so far.

Eve A. '26

March 4, 2024

What do you remember about your first day at OLSH?

I remember we (the faculty and staff) got into one of the 15-passenger OLSH blue vans and went to an in-service at another Catholic school. I just remember being overwhelmed. I was hired on a Thursday, and the next day was my first day. I had no preparation. It was like, ‘Oh you want the job? Ok!’”

What is your favorite memory at OLSH so far?

“There’s too many! Anywhere from things happening with kids that I still remember, to helping out with the Christmas plays, to doing things for student government, to shenanigans here. One year, a hurricane hit Pittsburgh and totally hit Carnegie, and Mr. Miller lost a ton of stuff in his house because the basement was flooded up to the first floor. This was in October or early November. So, the whole faculty got together and chipped in some money and everybody individually signed up for things to bring in for his family. And, Sr. Francine, everyday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, put something on his desk in a Christmas basket to replace what they had lost. When my dad passed away, I bet 95% of the faculty came to his viewing. And, I live pretty far out there – but they all came out. There’s a lot of different things like that that show you that you’re part of a family.”

Has there been a most memorable year?

“Not really. They all have their good and their bad. I can say in 2010- those kids were bad! But the school year itself wasn’t bad. I do remember that one of my first years teaching here, I gave my class things to work on in class and they would sit there and sing. Either a song they were working on for choir, or Christmas Carols around Christmas time. It wasn’t annoying, it was actually really nice. I was just like, ‘Woah! That’s pretty cool!’”

Since you have been teaching for a while, have you noticed any change in the students over the years?

“Yes. My honors level kids and the way they put forth their work and are diligent was how almost all of the students were back then, except for a handful of kids. Another thing that drives me crazy is that my students will not answer questions the way that they used to. They’re more shy now.”

What inspired you to become a teacher?

“I’ve always loved school. I hated high school, but I didn’t hate school. I was not a member, even a fringe member, of the ‘in’ group. There were a bunch of us who were misfits that found each other. So my love of school, and desire to help kids fit in, made me want to be a teacher.”

What sparked your interest in Chemistry?

“Mainly because I hate biology. It’s a tree – call it a tree. Don’t call it a blah blah blah. If you want to get more specific, it’s a Norwegian Pine. It’s a Red Maple. A Blue Spruce. You want me to look at a bug and tell you the difference between this bug and that bug? No! I actually went to school to be a Medical Technologist to work in a medical lab. Parasitology did me in, so I switched my major to Chemistry. I understand Chemistry because it’s more math. I don’t like organic chemistry because it is a lot like biology. I’d rather do the more physical, math-related stuff.”

What about your class, do you think, makes it so easy for students to connect with you?

“I make fun of myself, and I’m being silly. What’s a pirate’s favorite element? ARRRgon!”

What are some surprising things people might not know about you?

“I am painfully shy.”

Why OLSH?

“Back in the late 90’s, there weren’t many teaching openings. I hadn’t even applied here. I had applied to CCBC to be a lab technician teacher. Sr. Francine had called all the schools in the area asking if there were any recent grads that could come work at OLSH. CCBC said they didn’t have any students, but they had a resume Sr. might want to see. So, they forwarded my resume to her. So, I started here and I really liked it.”

Do you get emotional watching students graduate?

“I did, but not so much anymore. Not because I don’t care, but because after the first couple hundred you start to become immune to it. Now, there are kids I miss after they leave. Like, right now, I really miss Abby Wertz ’23. There’s always one or two that I miss and then I get on Facebook and try to friend them to keep in touch.”

Of everything you teach during the year, what is your favorite subject to cover?

“I like just about everything from electron configurations to the end of the year because it all builds on each other. Plus, electron configurations are like a puzzle, and once you get down how to do them they are fun! The periodic table is boring, but, you can really see a lot of different stuff with the electron configurations and the periodic table. Writing formulas is more frustrating to do.”

What is the funniest thing to happen in class to date?

“I remember when I turned 50, I wasn’t in my classroom because they called me down to the office and I had to go to a ‘meeting’. When I came back, my room was completely decorated for my birthday. One of the kids did that and brought in cookies and stuff like that. This next one isn’t funny ‘haha’ but it’s kind of funny; there used to be lights in here that had the regular plastic lids on them. And one of the transoms came down from the ceiling and went ‘BOOM! POW!’ and kind of blew up and all the power went off. It fell and hit a kid on the top of the head! He was perfectly fine! So that’s kind of shocking and funny.”

How do you think you’ve changed as a teacher since you’ve started teaching?

“There’s more technology now. I make things easier for myself now. There’s less correcting papers!”

What do you do on your summer breaks?

“I camp and hang out with my grandkids. My granddaughter Madeline and I have girl’s days. Last summer she took gymnastics on Wednesdays and I would pick her up, take her to my house, pick up my dog, and go to camp. We would go to Dollar General and buy our snacks, our zebra donuts, our juice, our candy! We would have sugary cereal for breakfast! It was the best!”

Do you have any hobbies?

“Facebook games! I like to read, but who has time?”

After this, we had a speed round.

Favorite color?

“Purple.”

Favorite song?

“Where the Wild Things Are by Luke Combs.”

Favorite place?

“Probably camp.”

Favorite band or singer?

“I don’t really have one.”

Favorite holiday?