A Tribute to our Middle School Teacher!!

Sue Protopsaltis: 27 Years of Heart, Dedication, and Purpose at ACS Athens

When you think of a teacher who touched lives beyond the classroom—who lived the mission of ACS Athens daily, year after year—it’s hard not to think of Mrs. Sue Protopsaltis, affectionately known by many as Mrs. Pro or simply Sue Pro. Her legacy is not only woven into the fabric of the ACS Athens Middle School, where she taught for nearly three decades, but into the hearts of the countless students, colleagues, and parents who were lucky enough to cross her path.

Mrs. Pro’s journey at ACS Athens began in January of 1984, when she first stepped onto campus as a teaching aide in the Counselor’s Office, working alongside Mrs. Helen Liakos. From the start, her presence was one of quiet strength, warmth, and professionalism. It didn’t take long before she was recognized for her talent and passion for teaching Math, and soon after, she became a Middle School Mathematics teacher, a role she embraced wholeheartedly for the next 27 years.

With a teaching portfolio that spanned grades 6 through 9, and even included Middle School computer classes in Logo programming, she brought to every lesson more than just academic knowledge. She brought patience, humor, dedication, and a deep understanding of what young learners needed to thrive, not just as students, but as people.

Trying to isolate a single favorite memory from her time at ACS Athens would be impossible for her!!!. As you can see in the photo gallery, she is surrounded by students who are smiling and look up to her with love and respect in their eyes.  Her days were filled with the joy and unpredictability of student life: the electric energy of Pi Day celebrations, the thrill of Math Bowls, the laughter echoing from Middle School dances and Field Days, and the shared moments of discovery during classroom discussions or field trips. Each day held its own kind of magic, and there was never a dull moment in the life of this middle school teacher.  Creativity, games, learning, and the well-being of her students were her priorities.

But what Mrs. Protopsaltis treasures most is not a single event—it’s the community. The spirit of ACS Athens. In her own words, she describes it as supportive, positive, dynamic, challenging, diverse, and student-centered. 

Even after retiring in June 2011, our beloved teacher carries the essence of ACS Athens with her. She reflects on the years with warmth and gratitude, saying, “I feel lucky to have been a part of the unique ACS Athens community. The years I spent there were happy, rewarding, unforgettable.”

Though no longer in the Middle School classrooms and hallways, her influence endures. It lives on in the students she taught, many of whom no doubt still remember that one math problem they finally solved with her encouragement and smile.  It lives on in the teachers she mentored, and in the culture she helped to shape—a culture of care, rigor, and lifelong learning.

Middle School misses you!

With deep appreciation,
Your ACS Athens Family

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Published on ACS Athens Global Alumni Platform

written by Lydia Skampavia