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Precalculus with you was the first class in my life where I found myself enjoying math- even though it was during covid times. Your class taught me perseverance and the value of hard work more than any other class I took at CK. I'm so grateful I was able to be your student, I wish you an amazing retirement!

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I know I was a pain in the 🤬 with all my suspiciously timed absences whenever we had a test - I really was having migraines, but it’s time to confess that was probably because I was up until 7am doing all my homework for the unit in 1 sitting. Your patience, kindness, and sense of humor stick out to me when I think back to that time. The video you showed us, “The Most Important Video You’ll Ever See,” I believe it was, is something that stuck with me, too. It helped me conceptualize exponential growth and informed my view on climate change in a way I’ve never been able to shake, an inconvenient truth. I’m glad I had you as a teacher. I hope you enjoyed your long tenure at such a uniquely beautiful school, and congratulations on your retirement! You earned it!

Cassie Nichols, Class of ’12 (Pre-Cal, 2010-2011)

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Jim,
Whether it was obvious or not, you were a father figure for me at a time when I really needed it. And hey, I learned some calculus too.

Enjoy your well-earned retirement :)
-Isaac Mooney, '12

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Mr. Ladd,
I cannot express how grateful I am to be one of your students. Somehow, you made a difficult class something that I looked forward too during the long days. I will miss advisory and your jokes, nicknames, and stories that you always had on hand. Enjoy your retirement!
Dhilan CK’21

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Congrats and thank you to one of the best math teachers out there. I never did get any good at softball, but I went off to college with a love and understanding of calculus (and how to think about math) that prepared me so well for higher learning. Enjoy your retirement!
Kate Zyla '92

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4/3 - Congrats on your retirement! May the waters of Lake Michigan be calm and the fishing enjoyable - still hoping to catch you out there one of these years!

- Andrew Wilson, CK'12

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Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement! Thank you for being such a strong presence in my life and helping to shape who I am today. Whether in the classroom, on the softball field, or in the dorms, you were a guiding force of my awkward teen years. Thanks for letting me watch all those Detroit Pistons games in the second floor lounge!

I can't believe how much of your free time you dedicated to your students. Balancing hard work and silliness, you taught me how to persevere when things got tough, but also how to have a lot of fun while doing it. You were really like a second dad to me.

Your example of finding a unique sport that pushes you and that can enjoy throughout your life with friends is something that has really stuck with me. While not a racquetball enthusiast like yourself, I bring the lessons of teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship that you taught in softball to my passion for curling (which, by the way, I think you would love. If you've never played before, hit me up and I'll reserve some ice at our club in Ferndale).

On behalf of the thousands of your students who owe you for their increased confidence, love of math, and leadership skills, thank you! Have a lovely retirement!

-Theresa Tejada, CK '06

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Congratulations, Mr. Ladd! Even though I didn’t have the chance to take a class with you, you still made such an impact on my time at CK through the Cabinet club and as a dorm advisor! Thank you for always making me feel so welcomed and for all of your wise advice. I hope you enjoy this new chapter of life and our paths will cross again in the future!
- Linh Tran, CK’ 17

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Congratulations on your retirement! Let me know the next time you’re in Charleston!!
-Colleen Jacoby

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2017

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1984-1988.  Four of the greatest years of my life!  Mr Ladd was there for all of them.  Doing the Mashed Potato right there in math class!  Pretending to throw a baseball saying “if you throw enough mud on the wall (throws the pretend ball), some of it is going to stick!” Was his way of explaining away the many times we would work through math problems until we all understood the concepts!  Holding a baseball bat, demonstrating just how to bunt a softball as my varsity softball coach for 4 years.  Mr Ladd, do you remember when as a freshman on varsity, my excitement in stopping a ball at first base, chasing the runner all the way around 2nd and 3rd bases instead of throwing to the base players!  After the adrenaline wore off, I could hear you say, “Julie throw the ball!!”  You were the most fun coach I have ever played for!  And I was honored to have been asked to watch your young children, Terry and Megan when you and Karen lived in that house right by the Kingswood fields.  Your family was so beautiful and still are!  Years later, after I got married, when I lived in Harper Woods, I heard Kingswood softball was playing at Harper Woods,  I walked over to the fields and asked a random player if Mr. Ladd was still the coach, and the girl said “yes, my dad is still the coach.”  I was shocked that Megan was so grown up!   I also remember playing in the inaugural softball game on the new “Marla Davidson” field (thanks Marla!) I was pregnant at the time but wasn’t going to let that stop me!  I remember when you had Dorm Duty, as a senior we would have some great conversations.  Friendly’s Bar?  Was that the name of the place where you and mystepdad, Hank used to go? We talked about the old neighborhood as if we were family.  You helped me decide on a career.  You cared about so many of us adolescents.  You gave your all with everything you did, and always with a joke and a smile!  You have shaped countless lives and I’m eternally grateful for all you have done at CKS.  Remember you said the Class of 1988 was special!  Love you, Dad Ladd! -Julie Shensky ‘88 Yonkus

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2012

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To my favorite teacher from my 7 years at Cranbrook! Ladd - thank you for the laughter, kindness, patience, and mentorship over the years. I credit you for instilling in me the confidence to take on life (if I could take on a complicated calc problem - I could handle anything!). I can't wait to hear about your next adventure - don't be a stranger!!
- Sydney Sanders, CK '12

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Congratulations on your retirement, Mr. Ladd!

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Congratulations on your retirement, Mr. Ladd!

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I still remember being in your Calc AB class so clearly - the way you explained things made difficult concepts seem simple, and you showed us so much care and patience. The nicknames you gave everyone and the welcoming environment you created made your class one of my favorites during my tine at CK, and your support and belief in me gave me a boost of confidence during a time when I really needed it. I'm so thankful that you were my teacher.
Thank you for everything and I hope you enjoy your retirement!!
- Olivia Chen, CK '13 (Ah-luv-ya)

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I'm so proud to know you and enjoy this time in your life!!

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I'm so proud to know you and enjoy this time in your life!!

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I wanted to thank you so much for all the investment you made in me and my future when I attended CK.  I really enjoyed your class and content, but more importantly, I'm so happy to have met you as a decent human being.  Here's to a great retirement and your new future!  -Wendy (Kollar) Brotherton https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybrotherton/

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialist provides strategic direction for data analytics, modeling and dashboards for West Cancer Center & Research Institute. Functions in an expert capacity producing innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis. Works with Clinical, Revenue Cycle, Financial and Operational teams on a flexible, analytical approach to design, development, and evaluation of descriptive, predictive and prescriptive models and advanced algorithms that lead to optimal use of data.

Microsoft Azure Platform * Google Cloud Platform (GCP) * Snowflake Administrator * Cloud Computing * Neural Networks * CNNs * Data Modeling * Machine Learning * Artificial Intelligence * LEAN AGILE * Data Science * Tableau Server Administrator * Memphis Tableau User Group Leader * SAS * SQL * Robotic Process Automation (RPA) * Alteryx

Volunteer: Lead Memphis Tableau User Group, Lead girls+data Chapter Memphis, Data Scientist Code-Crew, Lead Grow Remote Memphis, Board of Directors Commission on Missing & Exploited Children, Board of Directors Memphis Blues Society

Interests: LSU, Michigan State & Memphis football/basketball, Green Bay, technologist, TED talks and devoted mother of three children. I enjoy Memphis culture and outdoors including biking, kayaking and Taoism/yoga.

Myers Briggs personality type: "The Commander" (ENTJ-A)

Career Aspiration: Chief Data Officer (CDO)

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Wendy Brotherton - Healthcare Information Data Scientist Manager - West Cancer Center & Research Institute | LinkedIn

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialist provides strategic direction for data analytics, modeling and dashboards for West Cancer Center & Research Institute. Functions in an expert capacity producing innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis.

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2011