To Our Retiring Teachers: We Wish You Well!

by Emily Beaupre '26
Here is the edited version of the article. Edits have been made to correct mechanical errors, improve flow for a student/community audience, and ensure compliance with the provided
Teachers influence every child they teach. Students spend either a semester or a year with every teacher on their schedule. That means teachers have five months to make an impact on the lives of their students.

At the end of the 2025–26 academic year, Wethersfield High School says farewell to two of its teachers as they retire. Marc Pfister, a longtime supporting actor in theater productions and an English teacher, will be leaving. George Horan, who was a forensic scientist before becoming a science teacher, is leaving as well. These two individuals have left impressions on this school that will remain long after they’ve left.

Pfister is moving to Georgia, where he will get back into writing, work outdoors, play a lot of golf and spend quality time with his wife.

Horan is going to visit his daughters more and travel. He has been to 49 states. His last one is the least-visited state in the country: North Dakota. Horan said they give you T-shirts if you tell them it’s the last state on your list to see.

Despite all the excitement of retirement, there are things these two teachers will miss. Horan will miss “learning new things from the kids.” Over the years, Horan has gained new ways of teaching from his students that he wouldn’t have thought of.

Pfister will miss “the genuine learning and curiosity of students, especially those who realize the opportunity their education provides.” The students who actually care about their school careers are what make it fun for the teachers.

Retirement means the unknown. Horan said that every time he started a new job, he knew what he was going to do. However, retirement means freedom—the opportunity to do things like travel to the last state on a bucket list.

For him, that’s the scary part.
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Since he is retiring, Pfister decided to leave everyone with a final piece of advice. You are always growing and improving, which is why, in school, "It's okay to be where you are."
They will be missed greatly by everyone at Wethersfield High School. However, the students and staff are wishing them well on the adventures these two teachers take next.

By: Acacia Maliea Spence '26
As the Class of 2026 reaches the end of the line, we seniors are ready to start our futures and our real lives. At the same time, several teachers at Wethersfield High School are preparing to retire, marking the conclusion of their long careers. These educators have spent years shaping the lives of their students, and their absence will be deeply felt throughout the school community.
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Retirement is a major transition not only for these teachers but also for the students and staff who have built genuine relationships with them. Many of these educators have dedicated decades to supporting students, doing a phenomenal job both inside and outside the classroom.

One of the teachers retiring this year is my math teacher, Dan Jensen. When asked about his experience at Wethersfield High School, Jensen said his favorite part of working with students was watching them grow over the years.

“Teaching at Wethersfield High School has taught me so much patience and responsibility,” Jensen said. “Even though I’m retiring, I hope students continue to work hard and stay focused on their futures, just as I will be continuing my career teaching college at CCSU.”
Longtime educator Richard Scoppetto represents a significant loss of the school’s "living history." While the Class of 2026 leaves to find their futures, the school must now work to maintain the welcoming culture these teachers built.

Teachers retiring this year shared that while they are excited to move on to the next chapter of their lives, leaving behind the Wethersfield school community is not easy. Many plan to spend more time with their families, travel and even pursue other interests. The impact these teachers have made will continue long after they leave. Their lessons, support and encouragement have helped shape many of us into who we are today.

As the June 12 retirement date approaches, students and staff alike are taking time to thank these educators for their years of dedication.

With Scoppetto leaving, the school community faces a particularly hard impact because he has been a part of Wethersfield since before today's seniors were even born. Many local educators say his presence will be difficult to replace.

“I’m going to miss the people and memories I’ve made at Wethersfield High School,” Scoppetto said. “Being a part of this community for so many years has become a part of me.”

While their time at Wethersfield High School is coming to an end, their inspiration will last a lifetime. Their years of hard work and dedication have helped shape the school into what it is today.