Deer Lakes chemistry teacher retires after 35 years at the district

A Deer Lakes teacher is looking forward to the next chapter in her life as she retires from the school district after 35 years.

Chemistry teacher Donna Turk — also known by the last name Howells — was surprised by students from her class with a breakfast and retirement celebration in the weeks leading up to the end of the school year. Students also gave her flowers and a framed photo. Turk said the gesture surprised her.

“Seniors are focusing on their own graduation, and I am thinking of my retirement as a graduation moving to the next step,” she said. “I was surprised they thought enough of me to do that for me.”

Reflecting on the milestone, Turk said she would work for another two or three years, but felt now was the perfect time.

“It went so quick. It is amazing how many things we have accomplished here,” she said.

Turk got her start at Deer Lakes in 1981.

She said becoming a teacher was always in the back of her mind. She worked at an animal technology lab before going back to school at Slippery Rock University for a teaching degree.

She learned of a position at Deer Lakes from a Fox Chapel teacher who told her someone was retiring.

Turk said her favorite part of teaching was working with the students and seeing them enjoy chemistry.

“It’s great seeing them work to understand what we are trying to accomplish,” she said. “Some of those students are so very nice.”

Throughout her years of teaching, Turk said students have shifted to being more independent and tuning in with their emotions more. She led the training program for the school’s Hope Squad, a suicide prevention program.

Turk said she will miss the routine of coming to school and being greeted by students and administration.

“The challenge of meeting new students every year and working through the program — that challenge is what I will probably miss,” she said.

Isabel Fisher, a Deer Lakes senior, helped organize the May 13 surprise celebration for Turk.

She said she found out Turk was retiring from a school board meeting agenda in March. Fisher began thinking of how to celebrate Turk and rounded up students to pitch in.

“It was amazing. When I saw her start to tear up, I started tearing up,” she said.

Fisher took Advanced Placement chemistry, a class she said she almost dropped. After being told by her guidance counselor to wait at least a month before dropping it, Fisher’s mindset immediately changed.

“After nine weeks, I was in love with chemistry,” Fisher said. “It was all because of her.”

Turk’s impact has persuaded Fisher to pursue chemistry as a major or minor in college, she said.

Deer Lakes High School Principal Pat Baughman has worked with Turk for nine years. He said Turk is the kind of teacher he would want teaching his children.

“She is an outstanding teacher in a subject area that is not easily replaceable,” he said.

“She will certainly be missed by the administration, kids and community.”