After spending 23 years at Cinnaminson High School as a math, computer programming, financial readiness, and robotics teacher, Nancy Mulville has officially retired. Wrapping up her career at CHS, her last day was October 31. With memories from 14 years in the math department and the reintroduction of computer programming, Mulville is leaving behind a legacy and a long-lasting impact on CHS.
“I’m finishing my 23rd year here. Math for the first 14 years,” Mulville said. “I was in the math department. So there I taught algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and basically all the different levels from one level to accelerated to honors.”
Mulville describes the transition from teaching math to other related subjects, such as business technology and robotics.
“Around 2016 or so, they wanted to bring computer programming back to the school because they had it in years past. So I volunteered to do that,” Mulville said. “Then at that point I moved over here to the business technology department. I’ve taught here in this department, I’ve also taught financial readiness, robotics, intro to robotics, and then I’ve started the two programming classes.”
One of the classes Mulville taught over her career at CHS was Financial Readiness. She said the students taking that class, over the years, left an impact on her life and teaching.
“I’ve had students actually come back. A student just even last year came back and wanted to file their taxes. So I helped the student file his taxes and got some money back,” Mulville said. “If we get juniors and seniors in there, that’s a lot of fun because some of them are paying for their gas for their car, their insurance, or they’re getting ready for college. We go through so many of those topics that it’s nice to have seen the kids experience those topics.”
Mulville developed a love of teaching from a young age. She fondly remembers playing school with her younger sister, who would be the student, as she – the teacher – would give fake tests and teach earnestly on a small chalkboard.
With regards to her teaching style, Mulville explained that she follows a diligent approach to the classroom.
“As a high school teacher, I would describe myself as probably strict,” Mulville said. “I like to follow the rules. But I always found when I would tell the students that as long as you’re doing what you need to be doing, then it was a relaxed atmosphere then, but I’m definitely organized and a rule follower.”
Reflecting on the memories from Cinnaminson High School, Mulville spoke fondly on the creative lip dubs and their power to bring the school together. She also credits much of the lip dubs’ success to Mr. Sean Wilson, who helped extensively on each project.
Despite being newly retired, Mulville said she has no plans to slow down. She plans to help with her two grandsons as they begin school and daycare. She also intends to relearn piano and volunteer to keep herself busy as her husband finishes his final years as a teacher. She said she also wants to fit in time to travel. Even though Mullville may have retired from teaching, school remains a part of her life as she said she plans to take a class to expand her knowledge.
Due to her extensive experience, Mulville has some advice for future faculty and students.
“For new teachers, just embrace it, especially with all the new things that are happening in education. And try to make those connections with the kids. I think that’s probably the most important skill to have other than the teaching of the content of course, it can make things a little bit easier,” Mulville said.
For Mulville, the expression “Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate” holds special meaning, especially among family.
“Being a Pirate is the family of Cinnaminson. Of course the school is great with awesome colleagues, and awesome students, and the community,” Mulville said about being a Pirate. “I’m from Philadelphia – just over in Northeast Philadelphia. So I’m only over the bridge even in my own family. I have always talked about how nice of an area and how nice the schools are. Actually, three of my nieces have moved into Cinnaminson. And even some of them are actually teaching at the middle school. So being a Pirate falls into the family.”
