Barbara Sheinkopf

I was a terrible English student... I couldn't be bothered to put my thoughts together into a coherent essay. Ms Sheinkopf never gave up on me, but also never went easy on me. I scraped by in her 9th-grade English class at Poly until the final quarter, when she introduced me to poetry. I responded to poems much more readily than to Shakespeare or 20th-century fiction - was completely enchanted, in fact - and found myself writing about poetry even for "fun". Ms Sheinkopf read all of my efforts...

The best thing about my 10th grade year at Pasadena High School was that I was lucky enough to have Barbara Sheinkopf as my English and Social Studies teacher. She gave me a personal tour through A Tale of Two Cities, Hamlet, and The Great Gatsby. The result was electrifying! We discussed every nuance of those works and others, before, during, and after class. She was my mentor, opening my eyes to the rich and rewarding study of literature, poetry, and world history. After choosing me to...

Mrs. Sheinkopf was the teacher who made me who I am today by teaching me the joy of language and writing. The "A" I received in her 9th grade English class at Flintridge Prep was the most hard earned and meaningful grade I received in my whole life. Thank you Mrs. Sheinkopf, rest in peace knowing that your students will carry on your legacy and memory.

Mrs. Sheinkopf was one of the most inspiring and impactful teachers I had in high school at Polytechnic School. While I think she knows how grateful I was in school for all her attention and encouragement, I regret not letting her know this years later, as so much of what she taught me--in terms of how to sell an argument convincingly and other writing techniques--continue to make me more effective in my own sphere all these years later.

R.I.P., Mrs. Sheinkopf.

Mrs. Sheinkopf loved her profession, and it showed in the classroom and in her interactions with her students. When I arrived at the Upper School, I didn't have any real passion or talent for English as a subject. Regardless, she spent countless hours trying to inspire my interest in literature. She did this for many of us. As if it happened yesterday, I recall a morning when she tracked me down in the middle of the upper school courtyard, and she handed me a book. She knew that this...

Barbara, as English teacher for both of my sons, is my hero. She taught them how to think and write. Made them scholars for the rest of their lives. We feel so lucky to know her.

Thank you Mrs. Sheinkopf for so many valuable lessons learned, and fond memories made, during my time in your classroom at Poly.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.