By Susan Burns

It was 1955 when Mary Charles Hare, a graduate of the University of Georgia and an experienced teacher, was asked to substitute at Christ the King School. In those days it meant taking the place of the nuns in the classrooms. When she wasn’t substituting, she was volunteering to drive the sisters to off-campus appointments and meetings because in those days, nuns did not drive.

In 1969 Mrs. Hare became a full-time teacher at Christ the King and through the years has taught fifth grade, reading, language arts, math and creative writing. For the last six years, the multi-talented teacher has been, among other things, the typing instructor for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Her program has turned hundreds of Christ the King students into competent typists by the time they have reached high school.

Now Mrs. Hare is retiring to pursue other interests. In appreciation for her many contributions to Christ the King School and the children she has taught over the years a reception will be held Sunday, June 10 at 4 p.m. in Hyland Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

In reviewing her long career at Christ the King School, she said “My greatest satisfaction is seeing the children coming in having a difficult time, and then with encouragement and love, a light strikes and they come through. Seeing them have a sense of accomplishment is a wonderful feeling.”

Mrs. Hare witnessed many changes through the years. Education and teaching methods have kept up with the times, but the philosophy of the school is unchanged, she said. Though staffed primarily by lay people today, it is still a Catholic school where religious values that bring true meaning and happiness to life are stressed in every subject area.

Mrs. Hare finds the children more open and opinionated than youngsters a generation ago, and perhaps more creative.

Of many memorable moments, three stand out, she said. She traveled to Washington, D.C. with Sister Jean Liston and assistant principal Margo Wolke in 1986 to accept the National School of Excellence Award from then Education Secretary William Bennett. That trip included a Rose Garden reception with President Reagan.

Another memorable moment was in 1987 when she was presented the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Independent School Association. And it was a great moment for her in the late 1960s when one of her sixth grade language arts students won first place in the oratorical contest for all Catholics schools.

Mrs. Hare is also proud of the Girl Scout Troop at Christ the King School she started and led for eight years.

Mother of two Christ the King graduates, Billy of Atlanta and Catherine who now lives in Virginia, Mrs. Hare has five grandchildren.

Mrs. Hare is looking forward to more time working with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation of which she is an active member and also the High Museum. A trip to Istanbul this fall is in the planning stages. And she plans to keep up her regular golf, tennis and swimming schedule.