Anna Friebel never met a problem she didn
’t like. The long-time math instructor at Britton Middle School
loves equations – and her students. Friebel has spent 45 years
helping students understand math and, ultimately, themselves. This
year she’s head of the class as the Chamber’s Educator of the
Year.
Anna Friebel never met a problem she didn’t like. The long-time math instructor at Britton Middle School loves equations – and her students. Friebel has spent 45 years helping students understand math and, ultimately, themselves. This year she’s head of the class as the Chamber’s Educator of the Year.
The Chamber Showcase awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations for long-time community service.
The feisty, 72-year-old of Italian descent is retiring from the classroom at semester’s end but not from public education. Her passion is too strong, her energy too effervescent and her commitment too deep for her to leave behind a lifetime of work.
“I’ll miss the kids,” said Friebel, who’s taught at Britton for 27 years. “I know when the school year starts next year I’ll be a little lost, but I intend to stay involved by volunteering and substituting.”
Although she won’t be strolling the halls, conferring with colleagues in the break room or teasing teen as much as in the past, her legendary presence will live on in the thousands of students she’s taught.
“She is a remarkable educator,” said Britton Principal Jim McDonald. “After 44 years, she’s not a burned-out teacher. She’s enthusiastic and still has a sense of excitement.”
But according to Friebel, it’s very simple: “You have to like what you do – you have to enjoy it.”
The algebra expert offers the same advice to ‘green’ teachers.
“If you feel that you begin to not like it – get out – before you do yourself or the students a disservice.”
Friebel admits teaching wasn’t easy at first and she flourished by riding the crest of her mentors’ experience. Gerry Mosegard, Robert Rice and others lent encouragement and advice.
“I’ve had a lot of help,” said Friebel, who’s since tried to “bend over backwards to help newcomers.”
She does the same for students. Friebel tutors students after school and also gives them her home phone number.
She acknowledges that not everyone has the same aptitude for mathematics, so she makes herself readily available to help these struggling souls.
“Parents have to realize that just because it’s easy for them, it’s not necessarily easy for the child,” Friebel said.
Friebel’s parents were Italian immigrants and education was important to them. She graduated from Live Oak High School, which was where Britton Middle School is today. She promised her father she’d graduate from college; he died before that promise was fulfilled. Friebel dropped out of school after his death and taught at P.A. Walsh in 1958, with only two years of college. Her degree came later in 1964 from San Jose State University while teaching, raising three kids and attending night school.
“It was tough; my mom and mother-in-law really helped me out,” praised Friebel. “But if you want something bad enough, you just do it.”
She dishes out this tough talk philosophy in the classroom. High expectations and a zeal for teaching convince students this 5-foot, 1-inch silver and black-haired fireball really cares.
“She scares us but helps us,” said ninth grader Amanda Lash, acknowledging math is her Achilles heel.
“There are no dumb questions and she has extremely high expectations,” she said.
According to ninth grader Danielle Smith, “She knows we can do it and she wants us to try hard. She doesn’t hand us anything on a silver platter. But she lets us be kids as long as we get our work done.”
This empathy toward others helps explain Friebel’s success in igniting a passion for learning. Every day an educator walks into the classroom they invite the future into their lives. This affinity to youth has fueled Friebel’s longevity.
But still, the math instructor has seen dramatic change in education and family.
“Kids are more technically sophisticated,” said Friebel, who spends at least two hours each night preparing and grading papers. “And it didn’t take such a big deal to have a good time. It has to be the big “wow” thing, now.”
The longtime resident of 60 years taught through Morgan Hill’s bucolic era at Gwinn and Nordstrom before moving to Britton in 1975 when Gwinn and San Martin schools merged. Times of school carnivals, class bike rides to Uvas meadows and community-wide barbecues hearken to a different place and pace.
“The activities were more community-oriented and you got to know the parents better,” said Friebel. “Our parents now try; but many are so busy.”
Volunteer lives
Friebel is committed to bridging that gap between the education system and the community. She’s been a board member of the Live Oak Foundation for 10 years and has served on countless education task forces.
“The Live Oak Foundation is made up of volunteers committed to doing whatever they can to help public education,” remarked Friebel.
There’s little denying the connection between rhythm and math — so its no surprise Friebel has served as treasurer of Britton Band Boosters for 15 years. She travels with the jazz band to every performance.
“These are wonderful children, and parents who are so involved with their children,” said the band booster.
As a leader in 4-H and Future Farmers of America with her children and now her grandchildren, the “nacho queen of the snack shack” at Live Oak football games, believes kids who are involved are less likely to get into trouble.
“I tell my kids, get involved, whatever it is,” said Friebel. “I like being involved with young people and keeping them focused so a purpose forms, and many times, life-long relationships.”
Enduring relationships is one aspect Friebel treasures about teaching. With low teacher salaries, it’s certainly not the money.
“There are a lot of rewards – like seeing what some of these people have done with their lives,” said Friebel. “And being so connected to the community, I can’t go anywhere that I don’t know someone.”
She estimates she’s taught thousands of children and many are still in the area, including Councilman Larry Carr and winery owners Gene and George Guglielmo. Later on, she taught many kids’ kids, including George’s four daughters.
“I can remember the classroom, left at the corridor and next to the principal’s office,” said George Guglielmo, referring to Friebel’s classroom at P.A. Walsh.
“It was a different time and place. It was a given that the teacher would know your parents and Mrs. Friebel knew my parents and grandparents, so you would be your best because if a phone call was made …” said Guglielmo.
“Now if the teacher calls, many parents think it’s the teacher’s fault,” said Guglielmo.
“I’m surprised she hasn’t gotten Educator of the Year before,” remarked Guglielmo.
Come May when the last math problem is erased off the blackboard and the last test is graded, the most indelible lesson Friebel may leave is, “When you have a great deal of satisfaction in what you do, it keeps you wanting to go on.”
