Last school year, then-fifth grader Bonnie Fishel really wanted her teacher, Virginia "Ginnie" Sullivan, to see her ballet production of "The Nutcracker." Bonnie was one of two of Sullivan's students who were performing in local productions of "The Nutcracker."
So Sullivan, determined to see both girls' performances, gave up her box tickets to the Redskins to cheer her students on. She told them afterwards how wonderful they were and presented them each with big bouquets.
That dedication to her students is what many children, parents and colleagues will miss when Sullivan retires this month from teaching at Flint Hill Elementary for 27 years. During that time, Sullivan has used anecdotes about her family and her travels around the world to enhance social studies lessons, coordinated food drives during holidays, and arranged for out-of-school guests to come by and interact with students, whether they are U.S. senators or South American children involved in the International Children's Festival.
Parents have planned a reception honoring Sullivan on Wednesday, June 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., in Flint Hill's gymnasium. All those who know Sullivan — former students and parents, colleagues — are invited.
"I can't imagine that there are many teachers anywhere who put their own selves into the job," said Bonnie's mother and past Flint Hill PTA president Robin Hayutin.
Sullivan, who is leaving to spend more time with her husband, Bob, describes her departure from Flint Hill as bittersweet.
"Of course, I'm retiring in good health, but boy, am I going to miss those kids," Sullivan said.
A native Bostonian and Fourth of July baby, Sullivan began teaching almost by accident. She had originally wanted to be a writer or an editor, but when her husband returned from the Korean War and entered law school, Sullivan thought she needed to find a job that she could find anywhere. She took two summer education classes at Boston University and fell in love with the profession so much that she has remained a teacher for 43 years.
"There's such an award in watching kids succeed," Sullivan said. "Every day, there's something that makes you feel good."
Sullivan first taught was in Westchester County, N.Y., for 15 years. In 1975, she started teaching in Fairfax County after she and her husband moved to McLean, where they still live today. The following year, she was assigned to teach second grade at Flint Hill Elementary, and the year after that, she taught fifth grade. She has been in the same classroom ever since.
"I couldn't have worked in a better school," said Sullivan of Flint Hill.
Throughout the years, former students have come back to give Sullivan updates on their lives. One former student, now a race car driver, comes each year to speak to the students. Another just sent Sullivan a note telling her that because of her influence, the former student is now a teacher too.
"I thought, 'this is what makes it worthwhile,'" said Sullivan of the note.
Others who know Sullivan have also observed the students who come back to see her long after they've left Flint Hill.
"What struck us was the number of families that came in ... who were stopping by the classroom," said Flint Hill parent Kathy Graziano, on her first meeting with Sullivan.
The former students come back not just because Sullivan was a lively teacher but because they felt Sullivan cared for them, said fellow parent Pia Pell.
"She just has a way of finding the best in them and bringing them out," said Pell of Sullivan's students.
Although Sullivan is leaving Flint Hill, she knows she'll come back to visit. With her retirement, some students are expecting her to return with pictures from her latest trip to Antarctica, as she's done with trips to East Africa, India, Morocco, Australia and the Middle East.
"I consider it a great trip for me, for 43 years," said Sullivan of her teaching career.