“It’s been a journey,” said science teacher Lisa Berry of her 41 years as a Big Red.
Berry began her teaching career at PHS in the fall of 1985 after graduating that same year with a major in chemistry and a minor in physics from Miami University.
“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Berry said. “It was a good profession for somebody who’s female who plans on having a family.”
She chose to join the Big Reds when she moved with her husband to the area after they “fell in love” with it while visiting a relative. While some teachers move to different schools over their careers, Berry has remained here through the entirety of hers.
“I enjoyed my subjects, I enjoyed my students,” Berry said. “We selected this area on purpose to raise our family, and it just felt right.”
The school has changed in many ways over the decades that Berry has seen firsthand. She finds she likes some changes and dislikes others.
“It is what it is. Do I miss some of the old times? Yeah,” Berry said.
What has not changed, though, is Berry’s commitment to the school’s community. Over the years, she has advised or sponsored “a little bit of everything,” including Forge, Key Club, Student Council and National Honor Society. Currently, she advises JETS, Science Bowl and Science Olympiad.
“She’s a good advisor. She’s supportive and she’s always looking to help,” said sophomore Liya Tewodros, a member of JETS, Science Bowl and Science Olympiad. “Honestly, she’s the reason that the science programs have done so well in the past couple of years because she’s really determined to push us to do our best.”
Berry also teaches chemistry and physics. Her impact on her students continues outside of the school’s walls.
“She was awesome because she was so hard,” said math teacher Mark Purcell, a 1989 PHS graduate, who had Berry his senior year. “It was her first year teaching physics to us and we were all pretty good students. She made us work. I got a B, I remember that. But I did really well in college physics because I had Mrs. Berry.”
Among other teachers, she is a helpful and inspiring person.
“As a colleague, she’s excellent. She would do anything for anybody, and she’ll always answer your questions,” Purcell said. “She’s just a wonderful person. She’s a great example just in life. You talk about someone who’s faced innumerable challenges and she’s met all of them. I think that’s really motivating and inspiring.”
One of those challenges has been health issues, like a breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, the main reason for Berry’s retirement.
“My body said it’s time to retire,” Berry said.
Now, Berry looks forward to gardening in her new greenhouse, being a supportive grandparent to her five granddaughters and reading over her retirement. However, she will miss the Big Reds.
“It’s amazing to see how so many of my students have progressed throughout the years,” Berry said.
Despite her leaving, she is still ready to FaceTime her students to help with physics.
“I’m not going away, I’m just stepping back,” Berry said.
