Susan Hilleary is a well-known teacher here at Fauquier High School (FHS). Hilleary taught horticulture for 12 years before switching to agriculture in 2020. Her classes are known for their ability to help students solidify their knowledge about the animals due to all the hands-on experiences students get to be a part of.
Many students who are in her animal systems classes, such as Intro to Animal Systems and Small Animal care, are building their foundation to pursue the animal side of the agricultural field. Hilleary enjoys teaching students about agriculture saying, "I love it and want to share my experiences and joy with my students." She feels her classes make a difference, noting that "Educating youth about agriculture increases the sustainability of our food systems."
Hilleary believes that allowing students to see and practice their knowledge in class is important to the learning process. “Agriculture is both skill and concept-based. Students need to have hands-on activities to build skills in animal handling..and for skills in construction and repair in agriculture mechanics…having the hands-on…practice gives meaning and understanding to the materials.” Sophomore Anelise Wilson is a part of the FFA chapter at FHS and takes the animal system classes. Wilson enjoys taking these classes saying, “[Hilleary] lets us do stuff hands-on…so we can understand where we need to practice… I want to study vet science …[so] the classes are helpful to help get me there.”
Students had many positive remarks about Hilleary’s teaching style and everyone expressed their love of the classes. Sophomore Layla Seary said, “I really enjoy Mrs. Hilleary's teaching… It's fun and you actually get to do stuff.” The main reason these classes are so loved is that Hilleary loves teaching them. “I teach agriculture because I love it and want to share my experiences and joy with my students. I also believe that agriculture is essential to life.”
Hilleary helped get our current horticulture teacher, Stephen Potucek, hired. They have been working together for the past six years. “Before we taught together, she had me come in and talk to some of her classes,” he explained. “[My] first impression [was that she is] very knowledgeable about everything agriculture and loves her profession.” She can be described as hardworking, passionate and caring by students and other teachers.
Teachers play vital roles in student education. Hilleary's teaching plays a vital role in the vast agriculture education students can receive at FHS.
