Teachers’ perplexing lives can often be confusing. Do they have friends? What do they do outside of school? Are they really human?

Well, teachers are human; they aren’t Ted Cruz, and they do have real life friends….probably.

Some of these friendships are very well known like the social studies squad. 

Others, however, are not as obvious. English teachers, Scott Tarzwell and Ellen Stahly, are a prime example of this. They met in 2003 while teaching at Quince Orchard High School and quickly became friends in and outside school.

“We stood across the hall from each other during class changes and he was really funny, always making me laugh,” Stahly said.

When they met, Stahly had just been hired to teach at QO and Tarzwell was working as a substitute. “I was coming in with nothing, and I reached out and Ms. Stahly was one of the ones who gave me lots of guidance,” Tarzwell said.

Part of what makes being good friends is being in close proximity to each other and for these two that is no problem at all. “We live across the street from each other,” Tarzwell said.  

“We like to sit on the deck and play with the dog,” Stahly added. The two often carpool to work together, frequently stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts for iced coffee..

Aside from hanging out on the deck, “We just do stuff together, getting groceries and shopping,” Stahly said. Even traveling to meet friends or family. “I went to Michigan with him to meet his family,” Stahly added.

Tarzwell fondly remembers a trip to Williamsburg, VA. as one of the most fun times they have had on a trip together.

And when it was time to leave QO, they did it the way they do most things–together. “We left [QO] in the spring [of] 2014,” Stahly said. “We both wanted a change and it’s close to home.”

“QO was great, but there was kind of a shift happening,” Tarzwell added. “I was [also] given a chance to take over the IB theatre program here.”

“I knew WM was close to my home, so I called up my friends [who worked here] and they all said it was a great school,” Stahly said.

To Stahly, Tarzwell stands out as someone who doesn’t fit the conventional mold. “He’s just different, not like other people,” Stahly said. “He’s just funny [and good at] imitating people. If we’re stressed out, he’ll just imitate somebody and make me laugh.”

“[My favorite thing about Stahly is] her sense of humor,” Tarzwell said.“I respect her. She’s a very wise person.”

We can all learn a lot from these two, but above all, we can learn that all you need to make a truly lasting friendship is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust.