For the past two years, Fenton Area Public Schools (FAPS) has named one teacher in the district “Teacher of the Year.” First, a Google Form is sent to all FAPS teachers where nominations are made. This includes a teacher from each building. Administrators then choose the best candidate.
This year, Fenton High’s nominee is English Department Chair Heather Mulligan. Mulligan began her career in teaching 30 years ago and has taught for Fenton for 29 of those. She teaches Honors World Studies and International Baccalaureate (IB) Language and Literature; In addition, she takes on the responsibility of being English Department Chair as well as the Continuous Improvement Facilitator.
“I feel so honored and excited,” Mulligan said. “The nomination comes from your peers, so it means that they enjoy working with me as much as I like working with them.”
Mulligan gets along well with her colleagues and is a go-to for advice and criticism: “I have a lot of experience being on the team already since I’ve been here for so long, so I think I have a good understanding of the goals we have, not only as a department but as a school,” Mulligan said. “I like to thank my wisdom on being a voracious reader: One thing that literature really helps you with is exposing you to lots of different perspectives and life experiences outside of your own.”
Mulligan works closely with her coworkers considering her position as a department chair. She also works closely with FHS social studies teacher Patricia Gray to offer an advanced world studies course to help underclassmen prepare for IB/Advanced Placement level courses.
“She is the model of what a teacher should be,” Gray said. “She puts all the time, effort, and forethought in, and I think it is a model of what the rest of us should be doing.”
Students of Mulligan appreciate her wise and patient demeanor as well: “I was never scared to ask Mrs. Mulligan for help when I had her IB,” senior Abigail Gonzales said. “She always handled things professionally; you never hear her yell or even get annoyed. She carries herself very well and I think that gives people a lot of respect for her.”
Mulligan has made a lasting impact on FHS. Her abundance of knowledge and experience has made her a role model for staff and students. The winner of this year’s Teacher of the Year’s announcement date is still to be determined.
