Meet the backbone of Samo: The Marvelous Mrs. Radford
Juliet Swimmer, Staff Writer
Karen Radford is an office assistant whose spunky style and cheerful personality brightens Samo from the inside out. Organizing the school’s attendance has become increasingly difficult due to the recent Covid surge. Regardless, Mrs. Radford continues to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. To many, she is an essential part of Samo.
“Mrs. Radford has impeccable style and holds this place together when we’re all sick,” Amy Chapman, a Samo English teacher, said.
Juliet Swimmer (’23): How are you doing?
Karen Radford: I’m doing okay. This is very, well, I don’t want to say stressful, it’s an overused word, but it’s a lot of pressure trying to get substitutes for teachers at short notice. But I’m still here, we’re still doing it.
JS: What have you been doing to keep yourself sane outside of working?
KR: There’s nothing really; I’m kind of a homebody. I suppose as soon as I get home and get my dinner, I’m okay for a little while. Then we start up again just looking forward to holidays when I don’t have to do anything.
JS: Do you like to cook?
KR: No. And I’m not real good at it. But I do. It’s just my husband and I, so we get by.
JS: What gets you excited to come into work? What motivates you?
KR: I love it here. High pressure, but wonderful teachers. From what I’m hearing everywhere, this is really the elite. We have a wonderful staff. They’re all very supportive. I love the kids. I went here [Samo], so I guess I can relate to that many, many years ago. I graduated in 1961, so a long time ago. It’s like coming home. I love it here.
JS: How long have you been working for?
KR: 25 years? It’s a different feeling. Coming back as an adult, you feel a little more in control.
JS: Tell me a little bit about yourself!
KR: I’m not a real ambitious person. This is kind of a responsible job. So other than that, not too much. We don’t do too much on the weekend, relax. My husband plays golf. He’s retired. And so he would love me to retire. I don’t know if I want to do that. You have to have some plans.
JS: How do you think COVID-19 has changed your life, and also your work?
KR: I think I wouldn’t single myself out. But I think it’s changed everybody’s life. It’s nothing we’ve ever experienced before. And it’s just so isolating for people, especially when we were confined at home. That was terrible. And so of course, here with all the absences and people getting sick, we just hope every day we don’t get it. Yeah, I don’t want to single myself out, but boy, there are days when I think it’s this dream, like out of a bad science fiction novel.
JS: Has there been any, like highlights of the pandemic or anything good that has come out of COVID for you?
KR: We have to find the good in everything I suppose. And I think it’s the commonality of it all. With all of us having stories to tell and respecting the rules. I love that we’re back. That was awful. Yeah, I don’t want to go through that again. And I’m sure for you guys. At first it sounded great. Oh, boy. You don’t have to get up and go to work. And then it was like a year and a half. Oh, my gosh, when Dr. Shelton said I could come back to work, I literally cried. I was so happy.
JS: Have you noticed any major changes since the pandemic, coming back to school, like the staff or any major changes?
KR: No, I think most people were relieved and grateful. You know that there’s a certain element that didn’t mind working at home and that kind of liked. I’m a “get up & get dressed” kind of person. I am very bad with unstructured time. I have a routine that I like, it’s healthy for me. If I don’t have that to do, I’m not the kind that will try to find projects. I usually think I need to do that, but not today. And so I put it off. So I prefer having some routine.
JS: What does your morning routine look like?
KR: Well, I get up very early. Sometimes I wake up and I don’t want to go back to bed. So I watch the news and have my breakfast. And then I get on the computer to see who’s out for the day and how hysterical I have to be. So I plan from there, especially with the pandemic and all the absences. I’m here a quarter to seven because I have to be here before AM to be sure that’s covered. And then it’s here for the rest of the day. I think the worst task is trying to get all the attendance for the sub stuff. That’s tedious.
JS: That seems very difficult.
KR: Yeah. Yes. Every single day, especially now. But I love my co-workers. I really do. We were just good friends and then whenever I need anything, they’re right there, so I’m happy for that.
JS: I think we covered everything! Thank you so much.
KR: It was a pleasure talking with you!
