Long-time Teacher Mcguinn is Retiring

Long-time+Teacher+Mcguinn+is+Retiring

Rachel Singleton, News Editor

This year, one long-time teacher and driver’s education teacher Terri McGuinn will be retiring after 40 years of teaching and 45 years of being at this school.

McGuinn first came to FHS in 1970 when she was in the eighth grade. When Marshall Middle School burned down, her class and the other middle schoolers had to move to FHS. However, most of their time was not spent in the school but rather outside the school in trailers. McGuinn then attended the school as a freshman and graduated four years later in 1975. From there, McGuinn attended college at Appalachian State University for four years and earned her bachelor’s in science and physical education k-12.
McGuinn had not planned to come back to the school but instead, after graduating college, signed a contract to work at an elementary school. Plans changed when her old high school coach called to inform her about a job opening at FHS. McGuinn had been wanting to coach for a while so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. “I went up to the school board office and spoke with the superintendent,” said McGuinn, “and asked him ‘was this available, could I move from school to school?’ and he said yes.” McGuinn has been with the school ever since.

McGuinn has always been the driver’s education teacher, but she also did many other things with the school. “My first 11 years here, I coached. I was the head coach of softball, and I actually started the volleyball program,” said McGuinn. The first year she started teaching at Fauquier, they did not have a volleyball program while most of the other schools in the district did. “I went to the principal and approached him about starting a program and he said ‘see if you have enough girls interested,’” McGuinn said “so I ran an intramural program before school, and I had about 60 girls show up.” The principle stayed true to his word, and the next year, he let McGuinn begin the program.

Although McGuinn was happy to start the new program, she said that it was very hard to manage. “I coached jv and varsity and drove the bus for the first couple years. I had no assistance, […] which made for a long day.” McGuinn decided to stop coaching when she got married and had kids; and later upon her husband dying in a car accident, she decided there was no chance she was getting back to coaching.

McGuinn says that one thing she loves the most about the school is the relationships she has with her students and faculty members. “I have students that I taught my first couple of years that I still am in touch with,” said McGuinn. She said she will miss the school when she leaves, especially the people. “I’m going to miss my department a great deal,” she said. “I mean it’s been my life for 40 years, 5 as a student and 40 as teaching.”

McGuinn says that she is not sure what she plans on doing after retirement. She plans on doing a few things with one of her close college friends: “We’re going to do a road trip,” said McGuinn, “I have a son that lives in California, and she has one that lives in Colorado, so we’re going to kind of do the trek across and see our kids.” One thing McGuinn is sure she will do after leaving the school is get a part-time job. “I can’t not work, I mean I’ve worked all my life,” said McGuinn, “ I don’t see myself sitting at home doing gardening.” Some have even asked her if she plans on working as a substitute teacher to which McGuinn says she is unsure. “I don’t think [I will], and if I do, it won’t be here.”

Being a teacher at Fauquier for so long, McGuinn has taught a few people that are now staff at the school. A few she could list include business department chair Diana Story, ITRT Michelle Green, and SSO Sal Torelli. Torelli had many kind words to say about McGuinn. “I enjoyed her, I still do now,” said Torelli, “one of my favorite teachers growing up in high school.”
Torelli said that she was and is a very kind and pleasant person to be around. Although Torelli is happy for her and her retirement, he says that he is still very sad to see her go. He said that it will be very different walking down the 700s hallway in the morning, “When I look to the left and I smile and say good morning, the biggest difference is she won’t be there to say good morning to me in the doorway when I walk by.”

Even current students at the school are saddened by her leaving. Sophomore Allison Migliaccio said she enjoyed her class and thought it was very informative and interesting, “the content was engaging and really brought out the realities of how mature and attentive you have to be when driving on the road.” Migliaccio says that she is sad to see McGuinn go after just meeting her but is happy that she can enjoy retirement after her long service at the school.

Mrs. Mcguinn, thank you for 45 years of service. The hard work you have put into educating has truly made an impact on this town. You will truly be missed!