Memories That Last a Lifetime

We celebrate the below faculty and staff members who have retired after many years of dedication and service to USM. 

Susan Zarwell ’87 | 28 years

Since joining USM in 1998, Susan Zarwell ’87 has held various roles, including Upper School Academic Resource Center teacher, English teacher, director of College Guidance from 2009 to 2023, and most recently as assistant head of Upper School. During her tenure at USM, Zarwell served on head of school search committees, helped develop USM’s diversity statement, helped found the school’s Internship and Shadowing program, and developed and implemented student accommodation policies. Alongside USM students, she supported Operation DREAM, a tutoring program for inner-city youth. 

Zarwell is excited for unstructured time in retirement, including outdoor activities and reading, and an upcoming trip to New England with her husband, Ben Zarwell ’87. Although she has received many awards and accolades over the years, what she cherishes most are thank-you notes from students. “Those personal reminders of the powerful role and profound responsibility we have in the lives of students are what I’ll carry with me long after the plaques are packed away,” she said.

Renee Weber | 23 years

Renee Weber has been a tireless presence in USM’s Upper School. She has taught every French class the division offers, from French Novice to AP French 2, led cross-divisional curricular development, was a class dean for many years, and was the architect and driving force behind the Community Engagement program for freshmen. She organized home stays for French students and led trips abroad to Francophone countries, took students to serve at local non-profit organizations in Milwaukee. She has also coached cross country, tennis, and track and field teams.

Weber is looking forward to continuing her service work in retirement, in addition to spending more time focusing on her family, her hobbies, and her health. She will deeply miss her colleagues and also her students. “I learned from them every day, and they truly kept me young,” she said. “Watching students grow and develop into who they are becoming is one of the greatest joys of this work.”

Amy Norman | 12 years

Amy Norman’s journey at USM began as a 1st grade teacher in 2014, the same year her children, Ben ’26, Abbey ’26, and Delaney started at USM. In 2018, she moved to the Middle School to teach 6th grade English, where she also served as a grade level coordinator and an ethical leadership liaison. She participated on the emergency response “M Team” and the faculty evaluation committee, and attended countless overnight retreats.

Norman is excited to linger over coffee in the morning and spend more time with her family. Being able to grow at USM alongside her children was a cherished perk of the job. “Having my professional and personal worlds overlap in that way has been incredibly special,” she said.

Torrey Lea | 9 years

As a school safety officer, Torrey Lea was a welcoming presence on USM’s campus. Rain, snow, sleet, or sun, he’d greet Lower School families at drop off each morning, often accompanied by a high-energy soundtrack. His professional background with the Tactical Enforcement Unit of the Milwaukee Police Department and, later on, the police chief’s security detail, made him an experienced member of USM’s School Safety and Security team. While he is excited to wake up without an alarm clock and to have more time to tinker with his classic cars, he will miss the daily interactions with the students and their families. “I think the kids felt comfortable talking with me and sharing important things because they had trust and confidence in me,” he said. “That’s probably what I’m most proud of.”

Laura Vande Hei | 6 years

After six years of teaching in the Lower School and 19 years of classroom teaching in total, Laura Vande Hei is embarking on her next journey in retirement. Her plans are open-ended by design, and she’s looking forward to pursuing whatever opportunities interest her. They will likely include visiting family in California, spending time with her oldest daughter and grandsons in Spain, and perhaps even visiting a few national parks that she’s learned so much about from her 3rd grade students. She loved many things about teaching at USM, including the beautiful and secure campus, the delicious lunch options, and all the laughs. “I’ll miss the dedicated faculty, the talented staff, the invested parents, and the daily interaction with students,” she said.

Sonal Shah | 5 years

After a career spanning more than 20 years in education, including five years teaching 7th grade math at USM, Sonal Shah is trading in the classroom for retirement. She is looking forward to traveling, reading, self-enrichment, and learning new things. Shah is proud of the deep relationships she fostered with her students, particularly cherishing the “middle school innocence” and the daily joy of celebrating their achievements. “I will miss the people the most—especially the interaction with the kids and high-fiving them on their successes,” she said. “Whether kidding around with colleagues or quick trips for candy in the Middle School office, it is the community and those daily connections that I will cherish most.”