Anne Porter To Retire

By all accounts, 1977 was a memorable year for the United States, and for Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. Star Wars took over the universe and sat atop the Box Office while The Apple II, which featured not one, but two floppy disk drives, was released just a few months before the school year, and, to the wonderment of the nation, the Voyager I was launched by NASA to study space.

Back here on Earth, Anne Porter had just arrived at NFA, and unbeknownst to her, it would be a place she would still call home almost a half-century later.

“I was attracted to Norwood because it was a school like the ones I attended,” said Porter, who, incredibly, will complete her 48th and final year at NFA at the conclusion of this school year, and her 50th overall as a teacher. “I stayed because I found a home here.”

The impact that Porter has had on NFA and thousands of student-athletes is immeasurable, and her legacy is one that will live on in the programs she created and the standards she set, especially for NFA athletics.

“I love teaching children as three year old children and watching them grow and develop into young adults. I take great pride in watching my girls play at the high school and college levels.”

“Anne Porter has demonstrated incredible commitment to mission during her remarkable 48 year tenure at NFA,” said Dr. Ryan Killeen, President of NFA. “The impact that she has made sharing that mission as a coach and educator working with hundreds of students is an incredible legacy, one that we at NFA are called to continue.”

Porter first visited NFA in 1975 and had the chance to meet former NFA Athletic Director Jim Burton, which led to a job interview almost two years later.

“Jim Burton, the Athletic Director at the time, was hosting a girls’ Catholic Academy League basketball championship game in the hope that it would generate interest in an athletic program for girls at Norwood,” said Porter. “I was there because I was home from college and my sister was playing in the game. I met Jim and he discovered I was studying Physical Education and that I would graduate soon. He indicated that Norwood would be hiring a Physical Education teacher and coach soon. In August of 1977, he called and he set up an interview with him and Sister James Anthony in the convent. By the time I left Chestnut Hill I had the job. I guess you can say the rest is history.”

Porter’s journey started in Albany, New York where she lived until she was almost three when her family moved to Villanova. She attended Holy Child School at Rosemont, the Lankenau School for Girls, and Sacred Heart Academy (Bryn Mawr) before going on to study Physical Education K-12 at Ashland University. Over the years, Porter also earned certificates in Health and Driver’s Education, including the: Spark Physical Education Curriculum, the Jopher Physical Education, and the Nathan Hale’s Physical Education Program. She later attended Temple University for graduate school where she studied Physical Education Pre and Elementary Studies.

As an athlete and coach, Porter has seen it all. For 60 years, she either played or coached a sport. She started her field hockey journey in fourth grade and continued through college and adult club teams until she was 35. Porter also played basketball and tennis as a student-athlete.

Here at NFA, Porter has served as an Athletic Director, Assistant Athletic Director, P.E. teacher, coach, and Officer in the Catholic Academy League. She started as the Girls P.E. Teacher for grades 4 - 8 (Fun Fact: Girls Grades 1-3 took ballet instead of gym class). Over the years, she launched a number of programs and initiatives, including NFA’s field hockey, basketball, softball, play day volleyball, girls C.A.L. track meet team, and intramural field hockey programs.

Over the years, Porter has coached field hockey, basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, swimming, and lacrosse (girls and boys) on top of coordinating intramural basketball, soccer, and field hockey.

Now, 48 years later, Porter is hanging up her whistle for the final time.

“I was very lucky along the roads through my school years at Holy Child, Bryn Mawr School, Lankenau School and Sacred heart to have P.E. teachers and coaches who influenced me,” said Porter. “I had positive mentors in my stops along the way. My college professors trained us to be good players and to learn how to teach others to love what they do. I have never wanted to do anything else. I am living my childhood dream and I thank NFA for the opportunity to do it. I have been at NFA for 48 years and have enjoyed every minute.”

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EXTRA CREDIT

COACHING RESUME:

• Varsity Field Hockey: 1977-2025 (only year I missed was during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

• JV Field Hockey: 1977-1979

• Varsity Basketball: 1977 and 2013

• JV Basketball: 1977-1979 and 2011-2015

• Softball: 1979-1988

• Volleyball: 1978-1980

• Girls Lacrosse: 2008

• Boys Lacrosse: 2005-2006

• Girls CAL Track: 1978-2015

• Swim Meet: 1978-2005

• Cross Country: 5 years

• Intramurals for Grades 4-8: 1978-2015

• Co-Curricular Field Hockey Grades 1-4: 2018

• President of the Girls Catholic Academy League and the Catholic Academy League when the boys and girls leagues merged: 1980-2018

LASTING MEMORIES:

“The championships are easy to remember. Those seasons were fun and rewarding, but I think the most rewarding ones were the challenging ones; the ones where every day was hard, but the improvement showed every day. The missed shots turned into made shots, missed goals turned into made goals, concepts and strategies were learned and players learned to be the best they could be.”

“I will always remember the day to day challenges on the court, in the gym and on the fields. There are certain memories I will never forget. There are memories that were funny to me at the time but not to the students or players. When I tell the story to former students as adults they  see the humor and often say, ‘Did I really do that?’”

MOST PROUD:

“I am proud of the physical education and athletic program for girls in the early years and then the boys in the latter years. I am so happy with the friendships I have developed with former and present staff members of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy which I am sure will continue after I leave. I still see the staff  with whom I began this journey. I am proud of former students who became my friends. I am proud of all the students and players who learned how to play their sport with passion and also with honesty and integrity.”

MOST THANKFUL:

“I am first and foremost grateful to S. James Anthony and Jim Burton for giving me, a young college graduate, the opportunity to become a part of the NFA community. I am grateful to Chuck Seaton for showing me the way and to my teaching partners Glenn Dolton and Kathy Parris as great Physical Education guides. To my coaching partners, both alums, and thanks for helping me be a better coach. To my students, thanks for going through this journey with me and making my life full. As I look back on our times together, you do not get older, I do, but you will always be 14 in my mind.”

FAVORITE NFA TRADITIONS:

Ice Cream Social, Homecoming, Holiday Tournament, Snowball Tournament, the drama shows, St. Joseph’s Day, Founders Day, Christmas Liturgy especially the 8th grade Tableau, and Graduation.

WHAT MISS PORTER WILL MISS MOST:

“I will miss the kids! Teaching parachute with the younger students, pickleball with the older students, The Polar Express activity at Christmas, and celebrating holidays with holiday activities; celebrating birthdays with my students and finally coaching field hockey, my favorite.”

MEMORABLE QUOTES TO LIVE BY:

“On the hockey field I am known for saying all game long, ‘move your feet.’ The girls who played field hockey in the early years on the Motherhouse Field at Chestnut Hill College would hide in the bushes when running laps thinking they were fooling the coaches. Believe me girls, Mrs. Greenberg and I knew!! Basketball brought on 'use the backboard,’ ‘look up,’ and ‘make your foul shots.’ In the classroom with the young students, ‘peace, love, I am a wonderful kid.’”

WHAT THEY SAID:

"Miss Porter is a fixture and legend of NFA. She definitely belongs on the Mount Rushmore of NFA teachers. As a teacher and coach for nearly 50 years, she has touched countless students' lives, including my own, as a student and colleague. She will be missed."
- Jim Rockenbach ’94

“Miss Porter was my grade school gym teacher and my seventh and eighth grade field hockey coach at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, and she’s part of the reason I fell in love with sports so much. Her energy, care, and deep commitment to every student made such a lasting impression on me - and I still play field hockey today because of the foundation she built. One of my favorite memories is shuttle passing at the beginning of every Norwood practice on the lower grass field at The Mount; or running our infamous three-man weave, something that still holds to this day. Mrs. Porter also never let me forget that she taught my parents too, something she proudly reminded me of at least once a year, and it always gave me a good laugh. Miss. Porter truly embodied the NFA mission, building character, fostering respect, and creating an environment where every student felt seen, challenged, and encouraged, even if she was making us run two laps around the cross country loop before practice. Mrs. Porter didn’t just teach physical education and coach field hockey, she inspired joy and heart. I’m so grateful for the way she shaped me as both an athlete and a person.”
- Katie Convey ’18

“Miss Porter is at the heart of one of my earliest and happiest memories of our first grade class running across the Norwood field during Blue and Gold day while she cheered us all on.  From those early days through graduation, she always pushed us on and off the field and court, can of Tab soda in hand, and made her players feel like a true team.  We felt so lucky that Ms. Porter taught the next generation when our sons and nephews came to NFA.  She is an NFA legend and will always be very loved and valued!” - Mary Kate McGrath May ’86

“Over the last 30 years I have known Ms. Porter as a teacher, coach, and coworker.  Not only has she been a pillar of our community, but she is also a friend. It is hard to put that kind of relationship into words but I will do my best. Over the years, her belief in me, patience, and unwavering support helped me find confidence not just in my ability, but in who I am. Whether it was teaching good sportsmanship in P.E. classes, making sure we taught the basics before allowing harder skills, or learning that there is a difference between using a “loud voice” versus, “yelling at the students” her lessons for me have been numerous. Some of my fondest memories of Ms. Porter go all the way back to my days in the little gym playing the parachute game, and of course ending every class with some Peace, Love, and ‘I am a wonderful kid!’ I don’t think I am able to pick just one way that Ms. Porter exemplifies the NFA mission, because to me, she is NFA.” - Maya Tippett ’04

“Miss Porter was my middle school field hockey coach. She was passionate about the sport and she was passionate about helping each player become their best selves on the field. With lots of support and tons of practice I started to play with more confidence. Miss Porter saw that in my work and gave me an award at the end of the season. She saw more than what was on the field. She knew I was practicing and improving and striving to be better. She encouraged me and shared my journey with others by extending the award to me. I will never forget that. When I started to work at NFA she was a mentor and supporter of me and my work. NFA will not be the same without Miss Porter.” - Laura Colussi ’04

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT?

“I am looking forward to traveling and doing things I never had time to do, spending time with my family and friends and volunteering.”

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SEND ANNE A NOTE!

Anne would love to hear from alumni, parents, and colleagues. CLICK HERE to share a memory with Anne

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HONOR ANNE WITH A GIFT TO NFA!

Making a gift to the school in honor of Anne's retirement is a wonderful way to celebrate her tenure at NFA. CLICK HERE to make a gift.