Miss Helen Robertson Plays Key Role At Exchange Teachers’ Tea
The honor of presenting a bouquet to Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain fell last Friday to a Norwood woman, Miss Helen Robertson, a high school teacher at Chappaqua, N. Y., and the daughter of Mr and Mrs. Charles T Robertson of 66 Hoyle Street.
Miss Robertson served as spokesman for the more than 100 American school teachers who curtsied shook hands and sipped tea with Queen Elizabeth at a garden party at Lambeth Palace. The event was the highlight of a years term of teaching in British schools under the British-American teachers’ exchange system.
The American teachers were in a long line with about 100 other teachers from most of the countries in the British Commonwealth The Queen entered the gardens from the ancient palace, the Associated Press reports. She was met at the foot of the steps by Miss Robertson, who presented the Queen with a bouquet of orchids and carnations.
“Token of Appreciation”
The flowers were from all the touchers as “a token of appreciation for the wonderful time we have had here,” Miss Robertson said ‘I am deeply touched? said the Queen thinks the interchange of teachers between our countries is a wonderful idea and I hope it continues.
Miss Robertson sailed for Britain as an exchange teacher last August and is due to return next month During her stay abroad, she has touted England extensively and has visited most of Europe. She has recently been teaching high school classes in Glasgow, Scotland, the native land of her mother and father, and while on visits to the Highlands met many of the Clan Robertson.
Miss Robertson was born in Norwood in 1917 and attended school here. Tutored in her pre-school years by her mother, she was so far advanced at the age of six that she skipped the first two grades of school entirely and started her formal academic training in the third grade. Continuing through Norwood High School, where she graduated with the class of 1933,
Miss Robertson attended Bridgewater State Teachers College and received her master’s degree from Columbia University. Following her studies at Columbia, Miss Robertson taught school for a short time in Norwood before accepting a high school position at Chappaqua, Westchester County, N. Y. where she will return this Fall. Her major subjects are geography and history, but she also teaches English and dramatics. Her activity In the latter field has carried her to New York City where she has produced a successful play
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)