And Kondziela should know. She has taught English and Drama in Fairfield high schools for over 25 years.
Kondziela said Larsen writes a "Review and Preview" every Friday to tell staff what those in other departments are doing. "So, I can know what's happening in, say, phys ed and acknowledge another teacher or student. It really opens up our awareness of each other," said Kondziela.
Sarah Frasco, Ludlowe senior and Minuteman intern, gave us another example of Larsen's communication skills. "The library changed its rules last fall. It had been a place where people could come and go or meet with a friend or do homework together ... People were so upset that they wanted to have a sit-in ... Then the class president said, 'Don't have a sit-in because Mrs. Larsen is going to hear us out.'"
Larsen did and the situation was resolved.
"I think she's the most loved person in a position of authority I've ever heard of," said Andy Bednarik, who retired last year after 35 years of teaching biology.
"People don't want to disappoint her. She can make decisions, but she involves everyone. Basically they know any input they have, she's going to listen," he said.
"She's genuine and authentic," said Sarah Huntington, an English teacher who's a relative newbie to the profession. "She's concerned about you as an individual. You know she really cares."
"She says things succinctly and they are a riot," says Bednarik, who points out that Larsen doesn't miss an opportunity to "roast" a retiring teacher or be in a skit at faculty meetings.
Bednarik graduated from Purdue and Larsen from arch-rival University of Michigan, so they have had a very open rivalry that the kids loved, according to the teacher.
"If Michigan won, she would come in early and decorate my classroom with all this Michigan stuff including a huge Michigan pencil. She came in early enough to make sure it was done."
"No matter how early you came in, she was here. I asked her one time. Don't you ever go home?" said Bednarik.
When the Minuteman asked for some of Larsen's time, her assistant told us that half-an-hour was more than enough time, because, "Nancy doesn't talk about herself."
She was actually much more generous with her time, but indeed, she would rather not talk about herself.
She shared that she has a son in Arizona and a daughter in Charleston, South Carolina. Her daughter has a one-year old and has reminded Larsen that she should be spending more time with her grandchild.
So, Larsen and her husband, Lee, will do that and they have gotten passports as well.
The 62-year-old headmaster was previously head of guidance at what was then the only high school in town, and what is now Fairfield Warde High School.
Larsen took on the challenge of opening a new high school in Fall of 2003. "I feel fortunate I was selected to do this. I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing," she said.
It was a challenge, "because there was a lot of uncertainty and a lot of concern about what kids would have and not have. Parents worried and students worried because there were only two years of students at first. They had to bus to the other school for sports. The kids were a little cranky about it, so that's hard for them," she said, clearly sympathetic.
Larsen said she and the staff were confident "this would be a great place," but convincing the parents and students was another thing.
When asked what her biggest successes were, she appeared to be thinking hard.
"I think there were some. The quality of the school," she said, then added, "That's probably true of all the schools."
She named some of the new programs in the school, such as the internship program, the music department, the fashion show, the murals that the AP Art students paint on the walls each year, good communication with the PTA, the sports programs, the technology. But typically, she takes little credit for any of it, noting that the art teacher came up with the mural idea and other teachers with other ideas. Laughing, she said, "For me, it was a question of recognizing (a good idea) and saying, 'Yes.'"
"I guess my success has been to hire good people." she said, but added, "Our students go on very prepared for the next level."
Larsen said that high school is a time when students figure out their own identity, become who they are, become more confident, learn to recover from their mistakes and gain that self-discipline of thinking ahead.
"It's always about helping each child develop and become smarter and better and helping teachers because they're really the ones who do that. My job is to help them," said Larsen.
She notes that high school should prepare students in different ways, not just academically. Social skills are important, she says, adding, "I hope they have fun while they're here and that they will have friends that they keep in touch with."
When a reporter mentions that everyone has said that she goes to every sporting event and every play ever held at school, she says, "Well, not every one," but quickly adds, "I do it because I like it."
And that comes through to everyone else.
"She's such a fun person," said our intern, who spoke of a "mini-senior prank" where students danced in the library. Larsen? She just joined in.
Huntington noted that Larsen went to the junior and senior prom, a chore for many teachers and administrators, but Larsen really seemed to be having fun. "If she wasn't, she's an awfully good actress," said the young teacher.
When the school held "We love Nancy Larsen Day," cartoon characters of Nancy Larsen were stuck all over her office. Nancy Larsen playing soccer. Nancy Larsen playing tennis. Nancy Larsen going over Niagra Falls in a barrel.
The real Nancy Larsen shook her head and said, "I've lost control of these people now," and laughed.
Another Nancy, Nancy Billington this time, the PTA president, emailed us to say, as others had, that Larsen has shown "an innate ability to guide teachers, staff, students and parents toward good decision making. For Nancy, that's always defined as "what's best for the kids."
"I'll miss a lot about Nancy" added Billington. "She posesses so many endearing qualities. I will say her sense of humor will be tough to replace. Beyond her stellar competence as a leader ... she happens to be quite a comic. It's hard to picture her without a smile on her face, and I know she's put plenty on mine!"
And as for next year at Ludlow? Bednarik says, "Someone will do a great job, but Nancy is irreplaceable."