Saying “farewell” to two retiring Fairhaven HS teachers

Paula Jardin

It is with great sadn­ess, yet a tremendous amount of apprecia­tion that we acknowl­edge the retirement of Paula Jardin from Fairhaven High School. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from her, laugh with her, and to have been cared for by her for so many successful years. Any student who has been fortunate enough to have been taught by Mrs. Jardin, and any staff member who has had the good fortune to work with her, is immediately struck by how thought­ful, hardworking and dedicated she is — qualities we all strive for. She has been an advocate and a pillar of strength for everyone in the Fairhaven school community.

Along with her dedication to teaching, devotion to her students, and nurturing nature, Mrs. Jardin is also known for some of her colorful colloquialisms. Anyone who has ever been in a meeting with Mrs. Jardin has at one point been reduced to tears of laughter. Whether it be talking about all the possibilities by saying, “and if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a wagon,” or someone’s state of confusion by commenting, “they don’t know if they’re on foot or horseback,” any conversation with Mrs. Jardin is one that we will not soon forget (even if we are still trying to figure out exactly what she meant by “someone finding themselves in some pretty tight sneakers” or what a “Dutch Uncle” is).

Mrs. Jardin’s passion for history and her seemingly endless supply of knowledge is rivaled only by her care for others. No holiday, or in many cases department meetings, went without some of Mrs. Jardin’s tremendous treats and her culinary expertise. This was not only limited to her staff, but students as well. One of the highlights of any of Mrs. Jardin’s A.P. U.S. History classes was the end-of-year feast. Mrs. Jardin worked her students hard, but the feast was her way to reward her students while at the same time giving them the opportunity to relax, converse as equals, and not stress-out too much before the big test. Luckily, most of the history department is located on the third floor so we’re able to work off some of the weight we’ve gained from Mrs. Jardin’s baking. 

The Fairhaven High School History Department will miss her passion, her work-ethic, her cheer, and her love for others. Though we are sad that we will not be seeing Mrs. Jardin in school next year, we are so blessed and eternally grateful for our experiences with her. We know that Mrs. Jardin will always be available to help col­leagues and stu­dents long after she retires, so long as it doesn’t interrupt her time with her beloved pup “Oskah.” We’d also like to thank her loving husband Ron and her son Ian for sharing Mrs. Jardin with us. She is the definition of the backbone of a community. The history department has big shoes to fill and we cannot wait until we get to take Mrs. Jardin to the Pasta House and celebrate her retirement together.

Congratulations Mrs. Jardin — you have earned it. Fairhaven High School congratulates you and will miss you dearly. Thank you for being you.

Matt, Ben, Mike, Greg, Rob, and Nick 

Qualities: 

• Caring

• Hardworking

• Dedicated

• Driven

• Advocate

Favorite Sayings (Paula-isms): (Those random old idioms that we crack up at) 

• And if my grandmother had wheels she’d be a wagon.

• He (or she) doesn’t know if they’re on foot or horseback.

• You’re going to find yourself in some pretty tight sneakers.

• Dutch Uncle

• C’mon you gotta include it…“Up my a** sideways!”

What we will miss: 

• Paula’s passion

• Her cheer before the holidays

• Our end of the year luncheon

 

Phil Harding

Phil Harding is a staple in the town of Fairhaven. With the exception of a few years away at college and one year at Dartmouth High School as a young teacher, Phil has been walking the Halls of Ivy as a student or a teacher for his entire lifetime. Born and raised in Fairhaven, he is the truest definition of someone who “Bleeds Blue!” And now the time has finally come to bid adieu to Mr. Harding in his retirement year. Some­how and someway, we do not believe that Mr. Harding will actually be able to stay away from Fairhaven High, but we will work to ensure that his legacy will live on in the years to come. 

Here are a few words from his colleagues within the math depart­ment at FHS. 

“Mr. Harding was my Geometry teacher, football coach, and mentor while I was a student many years ago. He has since been my colleague, supervisor, and career mentor as we have worked together for some 15 years. Some of the more memorable experiences in my career have been with Phil Harding: co-teaching two of our math classes together in room 7, beating King Phillip on the football field, and never having to explain our relationship — you know, he being my boss at the same time I was his boss — will always be special to me. I am going to miss the mentor I’ve had for so long, and I can only hope to pass along some of that knowledge to the younger generations of educators moving forward.”

— Scott Francis 

“Mr. Harding was my Pre-Calculus teacher in high school. In his class I felt inspired by his passion for mathematics, and his dedication to his students. After college, I too returned to FHS to teach, following in his footsteps. Although I never had the opportunity to be coached by him, I have been able to watch him coach, where his leadership, atten­tion to detail, and love of athletics shine bright. I only have had the pleasure of teaching alongside him for two years, but I am so grateful for the knowledge that he has passed on to me. I admire his ability to be a strong leader, but also connect so personally to everyone around him. I will miss sharing my goldfish crackers with him during meetings, but most importantly I will miss his wise advice that he has for any situation. He is truly an inspiration, and FHS has been so lucky to have him for all these years.”

— Courtney Girouard

“I have been around Fairhaven High School in one capacity or another since 1986 when my older brother was playing football. I have not known a time when Phil Harding was not part of Fairhaven High School. He has been my Geometry teacher, basketball coach, and football coach during my time as a student at Fairhaven High School, and now for the past 20 years he has been my co-worker, boss, and a friend. As the leader of the math department, he has helped create a selfless, technologically savvy team that works and wants to help each other improve. It is an atmosphere that makes me enjoy going to work everyday. Mr Harding, as you head off into retirement I wish the best and want to remind you to sit back, relax.”

 — Donnie Joseph 

“I joined the FHS staff 14 years ago as a new teacher with big dreams and huge goals. Mr. Harding quickly became a mentor and friend, someone who put in time and effort to help me become a strong teacher.  Early on, we taught a common course, so we worked together quite closely. I quickly realized how privileged I was to be learning from his vast experience. Having moved to southeastern Massachusetts after college, I consider it divine interven­tion that I found Fairhaven High School and was fortunate enough to build my career under his mentors­hip. He taught me that it was okay to relax and be myself, and that students react best to those who are confident and real with them. Mr. Harding is one of the most respected teachers in our building because he holds students to a high standard, just like he holds our department to high standards as well. As my supervisor, his advice and constructive criticism have been more valuable than he’ll ever know.  His leadership has helped us build a math department that is strong, that trusts each other, and is there at the drop of a hat to help each other out.  He has our back, and we will always have his. It is hard to put into words the impact that Mr. Harding has had on me personally, but I know I would not be the teacher I am today if it weren’t for his guidance and friend­ship. In my opinion, no one will ever be able to fill his shoes in quite the same way, and I do hope he continues to join us at Sweet Ginger for Half-Day Math Lunches every so often. Thank you, Mr. Harding, for all you’ve done for FHS, for your students, for the math department, and for me. We will miss you so much! Enjoy your retirement — you truly deserve nothing but the best!”

— Kathy Pittsley

“When I interviewed at Fairhaven High a few years ago, I immediately knew it was where I wanted to work. A big part of that was because of Mr. Harding. Mr. Harding knew my grandmother and was able to make that connection with me right away. He made me feel welcomed and at home at Fairhaven before I even started. He also helped to form and lead a math department that was so supportive and friendly and would soon become the group of people that I would go to if I needed any help for anything. Mr. Harding embodies the Fairhaven spirit, and I do not think I have ever attended a sporting event where Mr. Harding has not shown up to, nevermind been a coach at. He holds high expectations for everyone he teaches, coaches, and supervises and as a new teacher, he has helped me tremendously in my first three years of teaching. Mr. Harding is a very realistic, honest person who has given me such important feedback that has helped me learn so much in the three years I knew him. Mr. Harding, I and the math department will miss you next year, but I am sure we will see you around!”

 — Allyson Collette

“During my first three years at Fairhaven High School as a Math Teacher I have been able to learn so much from Mr. Harding. From day one his welcoming attitude made me feel like I belonged here at Fairhaven High School. Mr. Harding has not only inspired me to achieve as a math teacher but as a coach as well. We share a similar love for coaching, and through that he showed me that you can connect coaching within the classroom to make yourself a better teacher. I look up to how Mr. Harding represented Fairhaven High School not only as a teacher and coach, but as a role model. The countless hours he put towards reaching out to students was something I always looked up to. From passing his office in the morning and seeing students arriving early for extra help every day, to always expecting to see his face during any sporting event. The math department will be losing a crucial member this year, and Mr. Harding will be truly missed by all. Once again, thank you Mr. Harding for all you have taught me over the past three years.”

— Cody Rodrigues

“I have been working alongside or under Mr. Harding for 17 years. The impact he has had on my life both personally and professionally has shaped me into the teacher I am today and I certainly haven’t thanked him enough for that. His love of teaching runs deep and rubs off on those around him. You can’t help but love math or Fairhaven High when you are in his presence. He has taught me to teach with a passion and love what is bigger than myself and most often very loud. He has taught me to push myself and the students of Fairhaven just beyond what we think we can handle and then some. His passion to push people to be their absolute best both as a teacher and student is something I hope I can continue in his honor.

As a supervisor Mr. Harding led by example and his actions always spoke louder than his words. Whether you were a first year teacher or a 25-year veteran, Mr. Harding supported and respected you so you could become your best self for the students of Fairhaven. Whether he was your mentor or not he always had an open door for you with an open ear and wise advice. I know it was always open for my passionate, two-minute, arm flailing, vent sessions every now and then. Mr. Harding  treated each and every one of us with the utmost respect and expected us to do the same. Under his guidance, support, and mentorship he has built a math department that can fight, celebrate, laugh, fight again, celebrate harder, and always end in lots of laughter and love for each other. If you can’t take some good constructive criticism, a good poke from all, or being held to high standards, then the FHS math department is not for you. He has taught us it’s ok to agree to disagree and still be, not just colleagues, but friends. The memories of our PLC’s and impromptu meetings whether at FHS or at Sweet Ginger will always have a special place in my heart because of him. Mr. Harding has made coming to FHS every day an absolute joy and his leadership will be greatly missed.

In my third year teaching Mr. Harding gave me a gift. I don’t even know if he remembers since it was almost 15 years ago now, but it was a small gift with a grand gesture and I still have it today. He gave me a mug with the words ‘Role Model’ on it. That small gesture meant so much to me at the time and still does today.  What I hope Mr. Harding does know, is that it’s he who has been the true role model for myself, his students, the math department, and his friends and colleagues.

Thank you Mr. Harding for giving me the confidence to be the teacher I am today. I wouldn’t be who I am without you and your guidance. You have certainly left a huge mark on FHS and myself that will last a lifetime. You will be missed is an understatement. I wish you all the best in your retirement and expect that you will join us for our future Sweet Ginger outings. Enjoy retirement!”

 — Julie Sunderland 

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