Ten Questions With Hertz

When Barry Hertz joined the Lyndon State College community in 1980, he never realized he'd still be teaching early education methods in the same classroom over thirty years later.

After studying business at Bryant College, he attended Temple University and earned a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education. He has been a classroom teacher, a teacher in the Temple University Laboratory School, a day care center director and an executive director for a county day care association.

Hertz, of East Burke, served as Chair of the L.S.C. Faculty for eight years, taught graduate level Early Childhood curriculum development courses for Wheelock College and The University of Vermont.

As a dedicated professional who has helped license hundreds of educators, Hertz is proud to look back at all he has experienced throughout his life - and here at Lyndon.

Q: Why did you apply to teach at Lyndon?

A: My wife and I had been living in Philadelphia, and we wanted to move to a more rural area that had farming in the community. We even started a small "farm," raising pigs, sheep and turkeys over the years.

Q: How have L.S.C. students changed over the years?

A: Students are a lot less formal today. They are also much more visibly enthusiastic and well rounded. They're not as "teacher focused," because they have a lot more going on.

Q: Who was your favorite graduating class and why?

A: I'm not sure I have one. There are always unique individuals that stick out, and I miss a lot of them deeply.

Q: What were your years in college like?

A: They were very social. I wasn't really focused on my academics at Bryant. I was the vice president of my fraternity, Tau Epsilon Phi. I was also the sports editor at the student newspaper.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: I would have to say Rudy. I like it because it is about perseverance and somebody who never gives up!

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: I love Indian food. I traveled there in 1972 on "Overland to India;" they do things so differently there. My favorite dish is goat curry.

 Q: What was your most embarrassing moment while teaching?

A: I had a teacher who got on top of his desk and shouted one time to prove a point, and it always stuck with me. So, I decided to try it - and every year, at the end of the semester, I would get up on top of a desk and rip up a lesson plan in front of my class to prove that it's okay to adjust what you had scheduled.

However, one year I did it and the desk collapsed. Needless to say, I fell and bloodied my shin. But, I still ripped up the lesson plans!

Q: If there was one thing you could go back and change in regards to your time here, what would it be?

A: I would get rid of the politics in my department. It gets to be a bit much at times.

Q: Who is your most admired fellow Lyndon faculty member?

A: I would have to say Alison Lathrop. She teaches Geology and is highly intelligent. She is honestly diplomatic and has a high respect for higher education, students and fellow faculty members. She also has a lot of common sense!

Q: If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

A: I'd first set up a charitable trust to give half of it away.  Then, I would take my wife to India and my grandchildren to Europe. I'd also pave my driveway!

Hertz will retire from L.S.C. after correcting his last sets of finals in May after serving the Lyndon community for 32 years. He plans on travelling and spending time with his wife, Mary Ann, and his four children, two of which have also become teachers. To wish him farewell, stop by his office in Vail 407.