Retired Faculty & Staff

Cynthia Cox is one of a number of retirees who have devoted their entire teaching career to McDonogh. Ms. Cox was once described as having "unusual intellectual vivacity." What that means is that she is not just a dedicated teacher, an insightful and invested colleague, a thoughtful administrator, and a caring advisor; she is also a brilliant intellectual with a wit and charm that has become her trademark.

For more than 40 years, she has woven together her passion, intelligence, and sense of humor to produce classroom experiences that delight and entertain while building deep understanding. In Ms. Cox's room, students are as likely to learn as they are to laugh — and honestly, it's hard to tell which comes first.

She has the ability to make classes student-centered while maintaining a sharp sense of purpose. One hallmark of Ms. Cox's teaching style is that through her subject, she both broadens and sharpens minds. Her Advanced Seminar in Food Studies class is a reflection of her commitment to equity and social justice, with respect to food access. Her course, which partners with Greatest Good McDonogh, blends learning with community engagement and real-world, LifeReady inquiry.

Not only has she served as department chair, yearbook advisor, and Writing Center faculty sponsor, but she has also been a faculty step squad member, an alto in the faculty choir, and the coach of a freshman field hockey team that went scoreless on the scoreboard but was off the charts in fun. This is the magic of Ms. Cox; she fosters delight and joy and laughter, even in situations where it's least expected!

Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing your passion, wit, and intellectual vivacity with our community for 41 years. We wish you and Wright much joy as you write your next chapter.