Whether you grew up in Southern Lehigh or are new this year, odds are you have seen the legendary substitute at least once. This smiling face belongs to Mrs. Sylvia E. Hinton, who has been working at the district for four decades. Mrs. Hinton can be spotted substitute teaching many days each week. Despite her frequent appearances at Southern Lehigh, a majority of students do not know much about her.

Mrs. Hinton, who claims she has only been called “S.E. Hinton” by Southern Lehigh students, is the only substitute in the district surrounded by a shroud of mystery. Not many can say they have knowledge about her life outside of the school’s walls. Many students question if she is the famous author credited with writing “The Outsiders.” To these students, Mrs. Hinton has a simple response.

“I tell them, ‘Look it up.’ If they want to know, they can look it up,” she said. “They normally figure it out by the time they are seniors.”

Mrs. Hinton is also well known for having been a part of the Southern Lehigh community for years. She has substituted for hundreds of teachers and met thousands of students. Because of this, students tend to wonder about her age. Their curiosity prompts no answer.

“It’s a secret,” Mrs. Hinton said. “Not even the staff knows, and I won’t tell.”

Despite keeping her age and identity a secret, Mrs. Hinton did reveal personal information about her life breeding golden retriever puppies. For roughly 15 years, Mrs. Hinton and her late husband have been successfully breeding litters of goldens.

“There’s a waiting list for the dogs,” she said.

Mrs. Hinton breeds her well known pups with the help of her veterinarian daughter, Dr. Amy Hinton. In fact, her daughter is the reason she got into the business.

“Clients of my daughter saw her golden retriever, and someone suggested ‘why don’t you breed her,’” Mrs. Hinton said. “My daughter asked if we wanted to breed, too. We said yes.”

According to Mrs. Hinton, who has a pregnant retriever, another litter of puppies is expected to arrive in late April. To ensure her purebred goldens are born healthy and beautiful, Mrs. Hinton’s daughter follows strict policies when breeding her dogs.

“No breeding before they’re two,” she said, “and we have never interbred.”

Regarding Mrs. Hinton’s substitute teaching career, she also has a set of values.

“I do not treat it as a babysitting job,” she said, “and I believe that not all learning will come from between the covers of a book.”

Whether you look at Mrs. Hinton as a sub, a dog breeder, or a possible award-winning author, know that she comes to Southern Lehigh with a passion for students and teaching.

“I hope I make a positive difference in at least one student’s life every time I substitute,” Mrs. Hinton said. “If I get more than one, I feel blessed.”

For one thing, Mrs. Hinton suggests that students check out “Theme from Mahogany.”

“The lyrics are thought provoking,” she said. “Give them a listen.”

As for advice, Mrs. Hinton has a few wise words to live by.

“Remember that your attitude will either make you or break you,” she said, “and you are always the only one in charge of this responsibility.”