Anne McPartland (or “Frau” for her German students) has taught German classes at FHN since 2001. After 25 years, she is finally ready to say goodbye to her students and other staff members for the life of retirement.
“I’m kind of sad that she’s going away,” junior Ben Brinkman said. “She’s a very nice person. She’s very energetic and eccentric.”
With McPartland gone, students feel FHN won’t be the same. They believe she makes learning interesting for her students and has kindhearted conversations with them whether it’s in class or during passing periods.
“She makes learning a language very fun and engaging and she makes me encouraged to go outside of class to learn more about it,” Brinkman said. “I’ll watch German TV shows because she’s shown us German movies and how fun it could be to watch those, as well as German music, and encourages us to listen to more.”
With her retirement, students are worried about new students going in to learn German or plan on taking another German class. Some are also worried about transitioning to different teaching methods and support.
“They’ll miss her energy and her support,” Senior counselor Lisa Woodrum said. “She’s amazingly supportive of students, and she is very understanding when students need something.”
McPartland uses techniques such as speaking practice and one-on-one practice with both her and other students to help each student improve individually.
“That way I’m able to witness them growing,” McPartland said.
While McPartland has worked here, she has made a big impact not just on her students, but the community as well.
“She has always served on multiple committees for students and staff to help bring new ideas and to problem solve things,” Woodrum said. “She was doing at that time, besides teaching German the mentorship program so she would work with the juniors and seniors to help mentor the freshmen.”
While McPartland’s impact on FHN is coming to a bittersweet end, it opens a door of possibilities for FHN students and staff.
“Knowing that it’s going to come to the end, I wanted my retirement to be a celebration and not sad,” McPartland said. “But I purposely announced it early so that my students and I could make the most of the year together.”
