Alorie Parkhill 1942 - 2017: A Life in Education
In 1963, Alorie Parkhill arrived at The Cambridge School at the tender age of 21, a young teacher who worked diligently each evening to stay one step ahead of her students. Over the next 44 years, as English and theater teacher, dorm parent, academic dean, and assistant head of school, Alorie worked just as diligently to inspire countless high school students and educators, helping them shape their lives and careers.
She managed every aspect of the school’s educational programs, making incalculable contributions in several key areas, including college counseling, curriculum reform, and teacher mentoring. Alorie championed and shepherded in the new module system that was incorporated into our programs in the early 1970s, and it was her brilliance (back then with paper and pencil) that scheduled hundreds of students, all as individuals, into our innovative, creative programs. CSW was Alorie and vice versa for close to half a century.
She managed every aspect of the school’s educational programs, making incalculable contributions in several key areas, including college counseling, curriculum reform, and teacher mentoring. Alorie championed and shepherded in the new module system that was incorporated into our programs in the early 1970s, and it was her brilliance (back then with paper and pencil) that scheduled hundreds of students, all as individuals, into our innovative, creative programs. CSW was Alorie and vice versa for close to half a century.
Her impact on the community always extended far beyond the CSW campus, as well. In 1972, Alorie co-founded the Temple Beth Shalom Nursery School in Framingham. A lifelong Unitarian Universalist, Alorie was an active member of the First Parish Church of Sudbury where she wrote and directed thirteen nationally-recognized plays for UU children, co-directed the religious education program for several years, and sang in the choir for many more. A love of music led her to co-found several folk music groups including Mustardseed and Redwood. Upon retirement, Alorie taught classes at Brandeis Osher Life-Long Learning Institute and subsequently co-founded Life-Long Learning: An Independent Collaborative, where she served as curriculum committee chair and board member.
From those early days as a young educator, Alorie possessed a love of learning, a passion for teaching, and a deep dedication to community. In the countless notes and testimonials we have received here at CSW since her passing on May 23, we see and read the same themes: Alorie was the first teacher who seemed to understand me as a learner and a person; Alorie saw me when no one else did; Alorie was my first real mentor as a teacher, and co-teaching with Alorie remains one of my best memories of the classroom. Former head of school George Cohan said: “In the 11 years we worked together, Alorie was indispensable to our success. She promulgated high standards for the students, the faculty—and herself. At the same time, she was truly caring and compassionate. Her impact on the well-being of CSW will be remembered and revered for as long as the school continues to exist.” Current head of school Jane Moulding credits Alorie with orienting her fully and completely into the life of the school and for always being ready to discuss literature and ideas. One of Alorie’s students, speaking for so many others, wrote: “She was a life-changing force.”
We last saw Alorie at our recent reunion. She and Craig had been dorm parents for many members of the 50th reunion class (1967) and their stories were her stories: hilarious, irreverent, warm-hearted, and beautiful...stories of family, of young people growing up together, and of a school that was Alorie’s life and work. Her contributions will never be forgotten. Her being and energy are woven deeply within our people, our programs...and our hearts. We tip our hat to you, Alorie and we thank you deeply for the many ways you made CSW the school it is today.
Memorial Service
Alorie’s church, the First Parish of Sudbury, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, will host a memorial service for Alorie on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Memorial Service for the CSW Community (please note changed date)
In collaboration with the Parkhill family, on Saturday, September 16, 2017, CSW will be holding a celebration of Alorie’s life and work here at the school.
Please mark your calendars and watch for further details on our website. To read the formal obituary as published in The Boston Globe on May 29, 2017 click here.
Please mark your calendars and watch for further details on our website. To read the formal obituary as published in The Boston Globe on May 29, 2017 click here.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alorie Parkhill Endowed Fund for Teacher Mentoring and Training at the Cambridge School of Weston, Georgian Road, Weston, MA 02493.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.