Medfield School Committee Honors 9 Retiring Teachers

Monday’s School Committee meeting was full of laughs, memories and tears as the committee recognized nine retiring Medfield teachers with plaques of appreciation for years of service in the school district.

“I would just like to express how much I am saddened of your retirements but I am also very pleased for each one of you individually,” said Bob Maguire, Superintendent of Schools. “I know I’ve had the chance to talk to each one of you individually over the last several weeks and it’s been great the way we’ve been able to enjoy these last few weeks with you.”

Susan Ruzzo, School Committee chair and Maguire presented the nine teachers with plaques that thanked each one of them for their years of dedication to children and education at Medfield Public Schools and a deep appreciation for their service.

Nine Teachers Retiring:

• Janet McDermott, Medfield High School English teacher, was recognized for 40 years of service in the school district.
• Richard DeSorgher, Medfield High School history teacher, was recognized for 35 years of service in the school district.
• Regina Morris, Ralph Wheelock second grade teacher, was recognized for 35 years of service in the school district.
• Claire McKechnie, Dale Street School fifth grade teacher, was recognized for 34 years of service in the school district.
• Bill Pope, Dale Street School physical education teacher, was recognized for 33 years of service in the school district.
• Joe Farroba, Blake Middle School physical education teacher, was recognized for 32 years of service in the school district.
• Janice Interrante, Ralph Wheelock third grade teacher, was recognized for 25 years of service in the school district.
• Doris Walker, Blake Middle School sixth grade teacher, was recognized for 24 years of service in the school district.
• Joyce O’Neil, Blake Middle School physical education/health teacher, was recognized for 18 years of service in the school district.

Ruzzo hoped each of the nine teachers standing in front of the committee walked away understanding the impact they’ve had on the community over the many years of service.

“I was doing the math and I figured if you averaged, say 25 years of service, each of you have touched over, in elementary, easily over 600 children and at the other levels, 1,000s …  1,000s of lives that you’ve touched over the years that you’ve taught,” Ruzzo said. “I don’t think maybe you walk away and you realize the impact that you’ve had, but my husband went through Medfield schools and he had Mr. Farroba and Mr. DeSorgher and he still talks about his days in Medfield schools and remembering all of you and all of the teachers that he’s had so vividly.

“I hope that you take away as you leave here and move on to the next stage of your life, just remember how many people you’ve touched and how important you were to so many lives and really it’s just a wonderful thing and we thank you all for everything, for all your years of service, thank you.”