Occupation: I retired in 2013 after 35 years of teaching; 28 years at Nathan Hale Middle School in Norwalk, and the remainder at Newtown Middle School. I started out as a math teacher. In the early 1980s, when desktop computers were coming into popularity, NHMS started buying PET computers. They were huge, and had only 8k of memory. We started a computer integration class, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. The computers changed all the time and kept it interesting. I also led workshops and got to meet a lot of people in the teaching community.

Family: I’m married to Ted Welsh, the love of my life. Andrea Hoyt is my daughter, and she’s living on Cape Cod in South Yarmouth and going to school there. Kevin Hoyt, who everyone sees running around town, is my son. My brother Greg Pategas and his wife, Dianna, and my nephews Oliver and Simon live in Sandy Hook.

Pets: We have a 20-year-old cat named Kooks, and he’s in amazingly good shape. In his youth, his favorite place to perch was on the roof. He was a crazy kitten.

How long have you been in Newtown? I’ve lived in Newtown since 1983. I grew up in Easton and I remember always thinking Newtown was such a great town. In high school, I was always in awe that Newtown High School had a pool.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’m finding out what I like to do, now that I have the chance. I’m doing weaving and some pottery through HealingNewtown Arts. I’m taking yoga. I’m catching up on my reading and belong to a book club. I’m enjoying cooking and baking, and hiking and traveling. It’s so nice to do things without the time constraints.

Do you have a favorite book? I’m reading  The Lowland now, by Jhumpa Lahiri and The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty is next. My favorite ever, though, is Jack Finney’s Time and Again. I’ve loved books about time travel, ever since I read A Wrinkle in Time as a middle schooler.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? We’ve been away from Newtown for nearly half the year, so far. I guess our trip to France this summer is a favorite. We started and ended in Paris. We spent a week on the Mediterranean coast in Cassis. Then we went to Chamonix in the French Alps, and then we spent some time in Strasburg. Ted plans great trips. We’re exploring next taking the TransCanada Railroad, stopping in Ontario to go fishing with my older brother, and then continue on to the Lake Louise area in Canada.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The feeling of community here. Newtown offers things for so many different interests, too. And the teachers and staff of this school system are so good.  Both my kids are Newtown High School graduates.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I’d have to say my immediate family. Andrea, with all life has dealt her — her resiliency is an inspiration. Kevin — his dedication to his passion for running is an inspiration to me. And Ted really is my soul mate. What I’ve learned from him is to not be afraid to get the most out of life.

Do you have a personal philosophy? My former students could probably quote me on this: “You’ll never regret doing the right thing.”

Do you have a guilty pleasure? I’m old enough not to feel guilty anymore! But I do love floating on the tube in the pool, reading.