Hempfield Mourns Teacher

By Madelyn Pennino

Jeffrey Way died suddenly Sunday

Students and teachers at Hempfield High School are mourning the death of science teacher Jeffrey Way, who died Sunday.

Way, 42, of Landisville had been teaching science at the high school for the past 20 years. Surviving are his wife, Gail, and twin daughters, Melissa and Sarah, who are freshman at the high school.

Superintendent Brenda Becker was unaware of the circumstances surrounding Way’s death, but said a medical condition was recently diagnosed in Way. Way’s obituary (published on Page B3) indicates he died from complications from a brain tumor.

“This is obviously hitting us hard,” Becker said. “Jeff was loved by the school and by the community. This is a huge loss to our family and is very far-reaching for all of us.”

Students were surprised Monday by the news of Way’s death.

Junior Abi Polin, one of Way’s former students, said she had just seen Way at school on Friday, and he seemed perfectly healthy.

“When I heard, I thought it must have been a mistake,” Abi said. “I was completely shocked.”

Abi said she will never forget the type of teacher and person Way was.

“He had a different story for us every day,” Abi said. “If you had a problem, you could feel free to go to him. He would help anybody, not just his students.”

High school Principal Chris Adams said students and teachers are devastated by Way’s death.

“This hit the staff just as hard as students,” Adams said. “It was out of the blue. He was a gifted human being who touched a lot of people’s lives. He was very involved with the students and looked holistically at their development.”

Besides teaching science, Way was the high school Chess Club adviser. He tutored, and he held Bible studies meetings at his home for students.

He was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Mount Joy.

Becker said “safe rooms” are set up in areas of the high school where counselors, psychologists and local ministers are available to meet with grieving students and staff. Counselors will be at the school throughout the week.

English teacher John Frick took over Way’s classes Monday because they shared many of the same students, Becker said.

Substitute teachers were available for teachers who were overwhelmed by Way’s death. Likewise, grieving students were able to leave school early with parental permission.

Adams said students stayed in school.

“They wanted to be there for each other and support each other,” Adams said.

As news of Way’s death spread, Becker said the district received many phone calls from concerned retirees, past students and teachers.

Way was a 1983 graduate of Donegal High School. He received his teaching certification and bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 1987.

Throughout the day, students laid flowers and messages in the commons area of the high school in memory of Way.

This morning, the Hempfield Chamber Singers will sing outside Way’s classroom.

A school memorial service for Way most likely will take place next week, Becker said.

Senior Colleen Herman was in Way’s general science class as a freshman. “He was pretty much a legend,” Colleen said.

“He was the heart and soul of this school.”

Colleen said that Way taught her much more than science.

“He would teach us normal lessons and about the important things in life like love and family,” Colleen said.

Senior Chelsea Cypress, who is one of Way’s former students, expressed her sadness through an e-mail. In the message, Cypress remembered one special day in Way’s class.

“On Valentine’s Day he taught us about the four L’s of life, and those are to love, laugh, live and learn. I remember that like it was yesterday. All the hard work he had us do made us appreciate life so much more. He left us with so many things no other teacher could ever teach us.”

Originally published by Intelligencer Journal Staff.

(c) 2007 Intelligencer Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.