In advance of SUNY Adirondack’s Summer Enrichment Program (a perfect summer activity for students entering grades 4 - 10!), we chatted with Paul Phillips about his experience teaching in the program, what he’s up to when not in the classroom, which classic Glens Falls restaurants are his favorite, and more…
Tell us about yourself!
I have been an Instructor in the Summer Enrichment Program at SUNY Adirondack for 32 summers. It is my favorite place to teach. I have been teaching a mock trial course entitled "Mystery Solved" in which students take on roles of judges, witnesses, suspects, and attorneys for so long, that I recently taught a student whose mother was a student in one of the early incarnations of the course. We have been solving these literary and historical mysteries for about 30 of my summers there. I am retired from WSWHE BOCES, but I still do occasional enrichment courses for them, and I have been doing special courses for Saratoga Library under the heading of "Bizarre Science" for several years as well.
[Editors Note: To find out more about the Summer Enrichment Program for students entering grades 4-10, or to sign up, click here!]
When not teaching, I enjoy reading, especially in science periodicals and classic literature. I also play the guitar and compose songs. I am anxious to return from the world of virtual teaching to live teaching, especially for SUNY Adirondack. We have been unable to conduct my video production course, "Lights, Camera, Action" for the past two summers due to the pandemic.
On Life In and Around Glens Falls
Prior to my teaching career, I worked at Health and Human Services for a number of years, and following my training in Albany, I was assigned to the Glens Falls District Office. It was my first choice for geographic areas, though I was initially told that few people get their first selection. This was back in the 1970's. I met my wife, who is a Queensbury native, after moving up to to the area, and we have been married since 1982. We own a home in Queensbury, not far from West Mountain. We purchased the land and had a home built amid the lovely pines.
Some Glens Falls Favorites
My wife and I love history, art, and architecture and thoroughly enjoy The Chapman Museum, The Hyde Collection and the variety of excellent antique stores in the area, especially Glenwood Manor. We have also enjoyed and personally promoted the area's connection to The French and Indian War. In fact, I have taught a course entitled "The French and Indian War in My Backyard" which helpes extoll the virtues of Cooper's Cave, Fort Edward, Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. I encourage friends, relatives and my students to tour each of these important sites that we are blessed to have.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
My wife and I are foodies who enjoy the wonderful area restaurants and count The Harvest, The Talk of The Town, and Queen of Harts among our favorites. I have a very unconventional version of the perfect day in the Glens Falls area. I choose that long-time favorite of students and teachers alike - the snow day! It begins with the news of a day off as we watch the snow pile up on our trees surrounding our home. Then after the roads clear up, it is out to lunch at New Way Lunch or Steve's Place. Afterwards, a walk along the by now navigable downtown streets, and then home in time to watch the snow cascading beautifully from the burdened pines in our back yard. It is a quiet, serene magnificence.
On the Past
I miss several wonderful memories of Glens Falls, including Young's Restaurant and their remarkable Chinese food, and of course, the charming Empire Theatre. However, what I miss most is the two Double-A baseball teams we once enjoyed, the Glens Falls White Sox and the Glens Falls Tigers. I remember bringing our daughter to the games at East Field, and rooting for many of the stars who made it to the Major Leagues, including Ron Kittle and John Smoltz. Those games had a hometown feel that it is impossible to replicate.
On the Future
I would certainly like to see the return of classic music shows to the Civic Center, and an organized group to effectively and specifically promote the rich 18th century historical legacy of the area. We need to reinforce an interest in the rich historical tapestry that is the Glens Falls area.
