It’s an undated, unattributed clipping, but I’m certain it came from the Valley News in early October, either 1975 or 1976. 
I was the one who tore this “She Really ‘Digs’ Egypt” clipping out of the newspaper. (Part 2 is here.) In those days I was obsessed with ancient history and desperate to visit Egypt, but this was news to me: that there was a teacher at my school I had not yet met, one who had been to Egypt, who had touched ancient artifacts and who seemed to love it all as much as I did.
I was also very shy. So I waited until Mrs. McConnell’s classroom was empty, which took perhaps two or three days of furtive checking. On the day I finally found her alone I walked in and blurted out that I had read the article about her and I hoped I could visit Egypt one day, too.
She was gracious and sweet to me that afternoon and invited me back for what became many chats. Those conversations set my fond impression of her for life, even after I began taking her classes. It turned out she was a tough teacher, intimidating, opinionated, and demanding. She had an acerbic teaching style, a razor wit, and she was very fond of loading on the homework, too.
I still have one of her assignments: a box of 1000 English Vocabulary Cards. (Only $2.95 in the late ’70s!) We had to learn 20 or 30 words a week. Thanks to Mrs. McConnell, I have a passing acquaintance with words like panegyric and lineament, although I’m sorry to say I’ve never consorted with them on a regular basis.
I recently learned that Mrs. McConnell passed away in her sleep, after an evening of square-dancing.
So many opportunities lost! I wish I had contacted her to let her know what she meant to me.
Mrs. McConnell, wherever you are, I hope you have plenty of mysteries to dig up and lots of square dancing dates to keep you on your toes. I hope you know how many lives you influenced. Here’s to you.
Mrs. McConnell was a wonderful teacher! When I read this I remembered that she told us about her trip to Egypt. I also remember her Humanities class–there were probably only 4 girls in the class. She took us in her car to the Music Center and other cultural events in L.A.
Thanks for writing about her.
Mrs. McConnell was a wonderful teacher. I wanted to study Russian and when I found out Mrs. McConnell was Fluent in Russian, I begged her to teach me. It wasn’t offered at Argyll at the time, but she found a way to make this happen and during Independent Study time for me and most probably her own time, she taught me Russian tiwce a week. I really learned so much from her and not only the basicis of the Russian language. When I was in 8th Grade, she was my English teacher and I had lost my dad the Summer before, she took me under her wing and she was a great influence on me. I will always have the greatest respect for her. SHe taught me to work hard, be persistent and always strive to do my best and then do even better! SHe really had a profound and positive influence on my life.
Mrs. McConnell was an amazing teacher who made a real positive impact on my life. When life gets tough, I often think of her. Her stories, stoicism, and thought processes truly impressed me. Who would have thought that I would enjoy reading Machiavelli’s The Prince so much, that years later I would re-read it and write about it. I still have the small text book from her class. She challenged and fascinated me, and I shall always fondly remember her!