It takes a remarkable person to dedicate 33 years to helping not just one individual, but hundreds of students grow and succeed.
It is with a heavy heart and a bittersweet sigh that the Niles West community lets go of long-time physical education (P.E.) teacher, Teri Langston, at the end of this year. Her 33-year career, 26 of which were spent gracing the halls of Niles West, ends in a well-deserved retirement at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
The Lamar University graduate has spent a vast majority of her life devoted to the improvement of the body and mind. From donning the red and black on the volleyball court at Lamar, to a very different red and black at Niles West, her same positive attitude and growth mindset have accompanied her.
“Something I really admire about Mrs. Langston is the bright and positive attitude she brings to class every day. It’s clear that she’s truly passionate about what she does, and that passion is reflected in the way she teaches and her interactions with students,” senior and one of Langston’s students, Kelly Wingo, said.
Her influence on students reaches far beyond those currently enrolled in her courses, though. Former student Nerina Alic was enrolled in Langston’s class during her time at Niles West, and the two are now colleagues. The lessons that Langston taught her have stuck with Alic since that moment.
Beyond teaching her line dances and how to bump a volleyball, Langston has taught Alic and many other students some more profound lessons.
“When people would say, ‘You throw like a girl!’ around me in class, she would just say, ‘Maybe you could throw better than them.’ And I feel like—especially throughout my time at Northeastern—all of my classmates were guys… but one thing she always told me was, ‘Shoulders back, stand tall and own it,’” Alic said.
Being able to influence the lives of students for decades has been a privilege for Langston, and she is grateful for the time she has spent in high schools. Langson shares some of her favorite memories working in high school.
“Seeing a kid learn how to swim, who was afraid of water; seeing a kid who was struggling socially be able to step into a group and be comfortable and experience that camaraderie with some classmates; those were some of my favorite moments,” Langston said.
Serving as an inspiration to young students has never been Langston’s only capacity, though. Throughout her years here, she has served as a colleague, friend and motivator to her fellow teachers in the Physical Welfare Department, working alongside certain teachers for over 25 years.
Jason Macejak, long-tenured P.E. teacher at Niles West, is among this fortunate group. Over the years, between the constant bickering, nagging and playful banter, Macejak is grateful to Langston for the lessons she has helped him learn.
“Do all the little things. She was big on that as a teacher with her students, but also holding her colleagues accountable, too. Doing all those little things that a lot of people don’t think are important. That was one thing that she never stopped pushing,” Macejak said.
33 years of changing lives, 33 years of helping students come into their own, 33 years of offering a friendly face and an embracing personality, all resulting in a world that is a better place now because of her efforts. Congratulations, Mrs. Langston. You will be missed.
