When students and staff were asked about English teacher Linder Dermon, the compliments were unending and faces lit up with smiles as memories came to mind. Words like “caring, enthusiastic, unselfish, patient and passionate” were repeated without hesitation and the response proved to be unanimous. “I have never met a teacher who cares more about her students, both as people and as students,” English teacher Tim Farrell said. “She forges such wonderful bonds with her students.”

In her 15 years at Gunn, Dermon has taught a multitude of classes, ranging from freshmen-sophomore core classes to electives. “She was adventurous and willing to take on classes such as Film Literature, which was new to her, and she certainly had a hand in making it a stronger and better course,” Farrell said. “There is a difference between 15 years of experience and 15 times one years of experience. Some teachers never change or learn in 15 years, but she has grown throughout her teaching career.”

For Dermon, building relationships with her students and teaching them to see with multiple perspectives are important. “As you get older, your perspective becomes more limited, and you become more cautious,” she said. Because of this, she especially enjoyed teaching Facing History and Ourselves. “This class taught students about social justice,” Dermon said. “I want my students to continue being open to new ideas and honest with themselves.”

With her caring and nature, Dermon has helped her students realize their passions and view learning enthusiastically. “She was incredibly patient, extremely warm, very caring and always listened to what you were saying,” junior Constance Wu said. “She gave me confidence and taught me to believe in my own writing.” Junior Pamudh Kariyawasam spoke of her ability to spark interest in learning. “Her classes were not made up of boring lectures,” he said. “She made sure we paid attention to not only the minute details, but also the value of the subject matter. She was enthusiastic and made sure we enjoyed learning as much as she enjoyed teaching.”

Dermon plans to explore new areas in the upcoming years. “I want to take classes, travel, spend time on art and music, exercise on a regular basis and spend time with my friends, family and dog,” she said. “I want to do things that I haven’t spent much time on before.” Her memories at Gunn, however, are everlasting. “The people, the kids, all the people I interact with, the strength of the community, not one memory stands out,” she said. “I’ll even remember how I stepped into a trash can on my first day here.”

The connections she made with the students and staff are lasting as well. “I will miss everything, especially her wacky sense of humor,” Farrell said. “Every Friday, we do this imitation of these aunts that she had growing up,” he said. “What will I do on Fridays?”