Who WE Are: Nancy and Steven Talmo

For Nancy and Steven Talmo, teaching at William Penn is a family affair…at least until the end of the school year when Nancy plans to retire after 20 years of teaching in the district. The business education, career and technical teacher spent 19 of her 20 years at William Penn, with son Steven teaching physical education and health for a total of four years in the district, two of which have been at the high school. Steven knows his way around Penn very well having graduated from the school where his mother taught in 2010. Now, as coworkers, the mother and son duo get a laugh when students often ask if they are married, but both have enjoyed working at the same school with Steven saying, “It’s always nice having family around.  Occasionally I will go up to her classroom to decompress after a long day.”  Nancy asked her son if he wanted to attend school where she taught, and years later after he graduated asked if he would mind teaching in the same building. His response was always the same–no big deal, but Nancy reflects on his decision saying “What a wonderful young man to call son and colleague.  I’m truly blessed!”  During the pandemic the Talmos have been teaching remotely.  “Teaching during the pandemic has not been easy.  We each teach very specific content which was a challenge to move completely online, but I think we made the best of it!” Steven says. Nancy knows she’ll miss her students, but “I have lived in this district for 35 years. I usually see a student or former student wherever I go!”  And wherever she goes, Nancy doesn’t hesitate to brag about the high school that sometimes suffers from a misguided public perception. “William Penn is a wonderful place to work and learn.  The staff is a dedicated group of professionals that invent creative opportunities for students to learn and grow.” As for one thing mom and son agree on the most when it comes to the district both say, “Once a Colonial, always a Colonial!  This is home!”