ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT

Helen Ross Russell on Her 94th Birthday
MCS Science Teacher from 1971 – 1996
By Judy Isacoff

Into the library they streamed, the 6-7s from the south door and the 7-8s from the north, singing a spirited version of “Happy Birthday to You” to silver-haired, blue-eyed Dr. Helen Ross Russell.  Helen was seated with her just-published, latest book, Golden Flowers of the Sun: Dandelion, in her lap.  A brilliant natural scientist, educator and author, Helen shaped MCS’ science program both in the upper and lower school.  She continues to inspire the MCS community, meeting with classes a few times each year.

On February 27, six days after her 94th birthday, we gathered around her to celebrate her birthday and her book, a pictographic history of the dandelion flower.  She was accompanied by her husband of fifty years, Dr. Robert Russell, who worked with her to make the book a reality.  Judy Isacoff, Lower School science teacher, also sat at her side in the library that day with a stack of books authored by Helen on her lap, so the children could connect the library books with the author.  6-7s’ teacher Laura Swindler announced that the children are all authors, too, as book publication is a part of their curriculum.

MCS’ life-affirming values of inclusion and diversity shown brightly, as evidenced by Lower School Spanish Teacher Maria-Teres’ statement, “It was a vital experience for the children, sitting in the presence of elders, highlighting respect for the grandfathers and grandmothers in their families.”  Every moment was a touching experience of giving and receiving.  The 7-8s gave a sumac necklace they made in the morning’s science class to Helen, who received it with deep recognition of its value. 

We looked through and discussed Golden Flowers of the Sun: Dandelion, which is available in the library and through the publisher, Xlibris (www.Xlibris.com).  The 6-7s are reading Helen’s Clarion the Killdeer as part of their spring bird study.  When the 7-8’s begin their mammal study they will refer to City Critters.  Our visit concluded with a charming math exercise:  the children bellowed, “Are you ten?  Are you twenty?  ...." up to ninety as they filed out singing.  It was invigorating!