Mr. Cone, there is not a day I walk around without noticing the sounds of Chipping Sparrows since taking Ornithology with you! Walking around the Sanctuary with our class as you pointed out baby Cardinals and Downy Woodpeckers is one of the fondest memories I have of Andover. Thank you for lighting a curiosity and love of birds in me, as I am now a proud owner of two sets of binoculars and an Audubon bird call. I hope to run into you birding in the future!”
Mr. Cone taught what must have been one of the first ever secondary school courses in Ecology. I took the course around the time of the first Earth Day and those two events reinforced a solid foundation of teachings from my parents. I give significant credit to Mr. Cone for the direction of my career as an architect in sustainable design.”
In his own words...
I have always had a love for animals and the beauty of nature. All my life I have tried to instill a similar passion in students of all ages I have taught, from kindergarten to PA alumni. I have led field trips and maintained snakes, an alligator (Oscar), turtles, honey bees, plants, and more in our biology department. The yearly celebration next to Sam Phil with cookies under the blooming cherry tree, twice threatened to be cut down, is a way for all to celebrate natural beauty on our campus. Teaching an animal behavior and an ornithology course have been outgrowths of my passion.
Tom Cone, 1978
Growing giant pumpkins was a summer hobby for many years. My 6-year-old daughter Rachel challenged me saying I could never grow one she could sit in once it was carved! My largest was almost 900 lbs. Every fall, the girls’ JV soccer team looked forward to lifting it out of the garden and into my truck. After being displayed on campus, it was off to the Topsfield Fair. Several pumpkins even went to Commons to be turned into many pies! My wife, Julie, and I published a children’s book, The Giant Pumpkin Mouse House. Raising honey bees was also a hobby. My daughter Sarah (PA ’86) assisted me in research on bee vision sponsored by a grant from the Abbot Academy Association.
In my retirement, I plan to continue a garden in Carrboro, N.C., I already have begun with my wife, to volunteer and do substitute teaching, to be active in the local Audubon Bird Club, and to possibly become certified as a dog trainer!
Tom Cone’s Environmental Science class was literally life-changing. A patient and caring teacher, Mr. Cone’s style of teaching didn’t merely pass on information about the environment, but rather he subtly challenged us to become more mindful citizens and consumers.”