Words of gratitude were spoken and a few tears were shed in the full cafeteria of Fannin County High School as Assistant Principal Theresa “T.C.” Dillard was celebrated during a retirement celebration in her honor Thursday, December 12.
Dillard, a FCHS alumnus, has dedicated the entirety of her 32 year career in education to the high school as a teacher and an administrator.
“I am very blessed to have been here,” Dillard said. “I think we have a great school, we have a great administrative team, an amazing staff that works together for the good of the kids, and I foresee that just continuing with that small prayer and a wish that our kids are always taken care of.”
During her time serving the school system, Dillard has touched the lives of many.
“I have had the opportunity to work alongside Ms. Dillard for the past 11 years, she has taught me the importance of keeping our focus at all times on our students,” FCHS Principal Erik Cioffi said. “She has had an amazing career at FCHS and she has touched the lives of so many students, staff, parents and community members of Fannin County. One can never replace the positive impact that someone like Ms. Dillard has done for our school, we can only hope to follow her path and honor her by being the best educators that we can be for the students of Fannin County.”
Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney, a former student of Dillard’s, said, “It is going to be difficult to imagine Fannin County High School without Ms. Dillard. She is an FCHS alumnus, and she has been a member of the faculty, as a teacher or an administrator, for over 30 years. Ms. Dillard taught so many who are currently working in the school system, including me, and she has influenced lives. Her legacy will endure.”
When asked what her plans are following retirement, Dillard said she intends to spend her time volunteering in the school and the community.