‘Miss Pompeii’ Retires After Nearly Two Decades at Simon Children’s Center

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer

photo by RES Children's Center

Pomposa Ferrer, affectionately known as “Miss Pompeii” at the Robert E. Simon Jr. Children’s Center, is set to retire in July. Why now, after more than 60 years in education? “Because I’m 84 years old today,” she shared on May 23, eager to embrace the next chapter.

Ferrer’s journey began in the Philippines, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Far Eastern University, and a master’s in education with an emphasis in school administration and supervision at Ateneo de Manilla University. 

Her illustrious career has included serving as a diplomat for the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs as well as teaching children of all ages wherever she has lived – in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the U.S., including California, North Carolina, and Virginia. She also dedicated 14 years to teaching adults in ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] classes in Herndon, Chantilly, and Centreville. 

As part of the 28-member Philippine School Association, Ferrer established schools in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. She directed the Saudi school for eight years, handing it over to the community in 1989. Since its 1994 establishment, the Philippine School Bahrain has educated the kindergarten through 12th grade children of the kingdom’s overseas Filipino workers.

Ferrer’s first-grade teacher, Mrs. Garin, kindled her passion for teaching, instilling in her a love for school, teaching, and children.

In addition to catching up on her reading and travel, Ferrer intends to continue her work with the Bahrain school as a member of the Handmaids of the Lord ministry. “We’re  helping more than 200 very poor children go to school,” she said. “I’ll visit rather than live there,” she explained. Her granddaughter, a doctor in the Philippines, carries on her legacy, “helping the poorest of the poor.” 

Miss Pompeii also plans to drop by the Simon Center occasionally, knowing she’ll miss the children. Leila Kaszubinski, the Simon Center director who has known her since 2004, praised her as “an amazing teacher and a terrific person,” adding that “Miss Pompeii will be missed more than words can express.” 

“We have known for over a year that she would be retiring, but it was still bittersweet when she handed in her written notice,” Kaszubinski said. “We all wish her the best in her retirement.”