English teacher Julie Duggan retired at the end of this school year, after 31 years of teaching. She said she planned to do this for over a year now but didn’t expect for her final weeks to be cut short by the pandemic.
Duggan said she came to this decision because she wants to explore more of what life has to offer such as “playing more guitar and banjo, reading more, getting more sleep and exercise, canoeing more, hanging out with my friends and family.” She also plans on sticking around in the education scene and working part-time as a tutor and possibly a substitute.
Despite excitement for the future, she said she will miss her students and colleagues who she said made her smile and laugh every day. “This is a great gift that I already miss,” she said. “I love the FHS English department. Their dedication, talent and supportiveness inspire me to do my best, and of course, so do my many wonderful students.”
Duggan leaves with this message for her students. “My advice for students is to read and write, and take care of the environment, themselves, and their fellow man,” she said. “If most people do these things, the world will survive the big challenges facing it today.”