Juanita Ponte, 62; taught at Boston Latin

When students entered Juanita Ponte's Spanish language and literature classes at Boston Latin School, they were expected to check their English at the door.

For nearly four decades, Ms. Ponte, who in 1967 became one of the first two academically appointed female teachers at the then all-male school, commanded excellence from her students, teaching her curriculum solely in Spanish, colleagues said.

"She was in her element because Juanita operated on the highest level of intellectual activity," said Bob Tarpey, former colleague and longtime friend. "The were all in awe of her, these kids."

Ms. Ponte, a longtime teacher of Advanced Placement Spanish who retired from Boston Latin School in 2005 due to health problems, died of respiratory complications Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 62.

Born in Boston to Bautista and Elena (Freire), Ms. Ponte grew up in the North End. She decided early on that she wanted to be a teacher. She attended Girls' Latin School and graduated from Boston University with a degree in French, said her sister Irene Gomez.

During her first few years teaching French in the modern language department at Boston Latin School, Ms. Ponte spent summer vacations studying at Middlebury College, earning a master's degree in French. She also spent four summers honing her Spanish skills in Salamanca, Spain. In the 1970s, as French became less popular, she switched to Spanish, which she taught until she retired.

Fluent in Italian, as well as Spanish and French, Ms. Ponte earned respect among her fellow teachers and became a resource to many in her department, said friend and former colleague, Robert Waldron.

"When language teachers had questions with literature or grammar, even the head of the department made a beeline for Juanita," he said. "She taught other teachers; she was very altruistic that way. Any teacher who needed help, she was there to help you."

Carol McCarthy, who began teaching Spanish at Boston Latin School in 1985 and was later asked to develop her own Advanced Placement class, said she relied on the veteran teacher's advice and guidance as she faced the challenge of planning a curriculum.

Former student Philip Guarino, president and founder of design firm Arclinea Boston, said Ms. Ponte's method of imbuing course work with Spanish history, philosophy, and literature helped him navigate college experience and a career that once had him living in Argentina.

"She was very passionate about what she was doing," he said. "When she taught, it wasn't an imposition of information. It was really something that came from deep within."

Influenced by her father, a merchant sailor who was a staunch supporter of the National Maritime Union, Ms. Ponte served as Boston Latin School's representative to the Boston Teachers Union for more than two decades. For nearly as long, she served in a variety of roles on the school's faculty senate as an advocate for fellow teachers, often focusing on smaller class sizes and academic standards.

"She didn't try to cause controversy, but when the final issue came down on anything, she would always stand up and say what she thought," said fellow teacher and member of the faculty senate, Francis Cahill.

In one instance, Waldron, who also served on the senate, said he remembered Ms. Ponte standing up after the administration had announced a scheduling change.

"In an unbelievable tour de force of logic and rationality, she explained why the plan couldn't work," he said.

By the time she had finished speaking, the administration was agreeing with her, he said. "She knew the school inside out," he said.

Former headmaster Cornelia Kelley said she remembers Ms. Ponte for her high standards and her love of teaching.

"She was active in the life of the school and devoted to the Teachers Union activities," Kelley said. "She loved what she did."

Never married, Ms. Ponte helped to care for her ailing parents for many years.

She shared a three-family home in Revere with Gomez and another sister, Elena Watson. Watson said her sister enjoyed all forms of art, literature, and exotic cooking. A devout Catholic, Ms. Ponte also served for many years as a lector at St. Stephen's Church in the North End.

Affected by a severe case of scoliosis since childhood, friends said the physical demands of teaching eventually took a toll on Ms. Ponte's health, as the shape of her spine put pressure on her lungs. Never complaining, she continued her work in the classroom until she felt she could no longer give her students the best, friends said.

"She was a legendary teacher, because she was one of the first women, and because she was one of the premier teachers. She had an extraordinary mind," Waldron said. "You couldn't duplicate Juanita Ponte."

In addition to her sisters, Ms. Ponte leaves another sister, Dolores Salemi of Peabody.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today in St. Stephen's Church. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.