Benfield Elementary Bids Farewell To Longtime Teacher, Principal

Sheridan Honarvar covered some serious miles over her trek of 35 years in education, all within Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Her career began at Severna Park Elementary School in 1991 and included time at Four Seasons, Solley, Lake Shore, Belvedere and Eastport elementary schools before Honarvar arrived at Benfield Elementary School in 2002.

After a long career, she is retiring from Benfield, her longest tenure. Though her commute may have taken more than a few county backroads along the way, her career path was mapped out when she was young.

“I have known that I wanted to teach since I learned to read in first grade. I had an amazing reading resource teacher who unlocked the mysteries of reading for me,” Honarvar said of Judy McCorkle at Bodkin Elementary School. “I wanted to do that for other children. I also love kids and working with them. I never had any doubt that I would teach.”

Honarvar recalled a time in 1995 when she applied to transfer to the then “new” Solley Elementary. She and more than 100 other teachers gathered in the auditorium at Northeast High School in Pasadena while awaiting an interview with the principal, who had the task of hiring staff for the entire building. Thinking the transfer was a “long shot,” she got the job and now considers being selected as a high point of her career.

“When I joined the Benfield family, I was amazed at how everyone looked after one another in our little schoolhouse. We have since doubled in size and brought in some amazing educators along the way,” Honarvar said. “The faculty is always striving to do their best for and with students. I have been lucky to work with some amazing teachers here.”

Honarvar will miss watching children grow year to year and grade to grade. And, yes, she will miss those overnight trips to Arlington Echo with the first-graders.

Her early teaching days using blue copies made by hand-cranking a ditto machine, chalkboards, and overhead projectors are long gone, replaced by technology that seemed like it was integrated into the classroom at warp speed. But it’s the excitement of the youngest learners that stayed consistent over 35 years. Watching kindergarteners grow and mature in her classroom will be her greatest memory.

“My goal at the beginning of every school year was to form a community of learners who felt safe, cared for and accepted in my room. I wanted them to be themselves and be kind to others, and that they be friends and look out for one another,” Honarvar explained. “After that is established, I wanted them to learn, and I hoped to foster a love of learning. I hope former students remember feeling safe and cared for.”

After an amazing career, Honarvar has no plans to slow down just yet. She will add her name to the AACPS substitute list, travel, and volunteer more in the community. On the “horizon,” she hopes to go to Norway to see the northern lights and take family vacations to California and Maine this summer.

Susan Myers’ career began in 1995 when she taught second and fifth grades at Riviera Beach Elementary School, where she once was a student. After a few years in a classroom, Myers moved to Brooklyn Park Elementary School as a behavioral specialist. A move to Crofton Woods Elementary School was her first assistant principal assignment, followed by Park Elementary School. Before joining Benfield Elementary School as principal seven years ago, she was the principal of Annapolis, Walter S. Mills-Parole, and Monarch Academy Annapolis elementary schools. Since childhood, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in education, and once in the classroom, Myers discovered she really wanted to be a principal. She arrived at Benfield just before the pandemic.

“I remember being so happy at Benfield and the beginnings of building relationships with students and families, but that became so difficult when it was behind screens (during COVID),” Myers said. “I really missed the people! Being in the building with just a handful of people was lonely.”

During those months, the entire staff at Benfield showed flexibility, dedication and resourcefulness — traits that were evident every day for the last seven years.

“When I think about my years at Benfield, I am amazed by what our staff accomplished,” Myers said. “There were more changes in education in these last seven years than in my whole 31-year career.”

Myers added that she will forever remember the staff’s professionalism and dedication to the students. “They work tirelessly to plan and teach students and are so dedicated to growing each of their students to be their best academically, socially and emotionally,” she said.

She will miss the day-to-day happenings in a busy, thriving school. Myers believes that being part of a child’s education is the most important job one can have.

“I have much gratitude to the people I have worked with during my career. They’ve shown incredible dedication to children and their success. It’s the people who have made my career so wonderful and fulfilling,” she added.

Myers plans to spend more time with her family, attend her grandchildren’s activities, and volunteer at their schools. She and her husband are avid campers and hope to spend many relaxing hours traveling the country in their camper.