Farewell Falcon Teachers!

After many years of inspiring students to capture the moment and be creative, FHS photography teacher Tom Falkowski will be retiring. He started by teaching photography, Art 1 and pottery in 1989. Then, for about six years, he taught photography and pottery before transitioning into just photography and photography II. Falkowski finished graduate school in Michigan at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He...

Once a Falcon, always a Falcon. FHS alumni, former Director of Student Activities and current gym teacher Mark Holmes is retiring. “Being able to return to FHS, and then retire as a Falcon is a dream come true,” said Holmes. Holmes graduated from FHS in 1981. He received his Associates Degree from Ferrum College and his Bachelors from George Mason University. He then went on to pursue his Masters...

Behind every math mastermind is a mentor coaching them along the way. Striving to be like a mentor of hers, Rosanna Lantz has worked “to take the time to explain the math and show multiple ways so students could understand. There are lots of ways to solve math problems,” said Lantz. “Let’s find the one that works for you.” Teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Probability and Statistics...

“I love questions,” is math teacher Anne Meyer’s trademark phrase to create a classroom where, she said, “the best learning takes place.” For 37 years Meyer has been giving students the opportunity to reach greater heights in their math career through her passion for the subject and dedication to her students. She will be retiring this year after teaching almost every math department course...

Reveling in the past might be history teacher Liz Monseur’s profession, but she’s all about living in the present. Leaving to teach one or two classes of Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History at Wakefield Country Day School and spend time outdoors, Monseur has been with FHS for 38 years. She started teaching special education for learning disabilities in a variety of topics in the 1983-84 school...

Not quite ready to “hang up my dry erase markers,” English teacher Cynthia Pryor won’t be wandering too far from the classroom, leaving to tutor students and teach other courses. She decided to retire after 15 years at FHS. Throughout the years she has lived by the motto, “Knowledge is meaningless if it's not used in the service of the heart.” Pryor earned her Bachelor of Arts in English,...

Behind every book checkout is a librarian hoping each person that walks in will walk out with a love for reading and a passion to look deeper. Librarian Mary Jo Sears will be leaving FHS after 22 years of helping students “see a bigger world and open their minds to ideas beyond themselves,” said Sears, through books. Sears moved to Virginia when she was married 27 years ago. “I am from a small...