Students filled almost half of the auditorium in anticipation of Peter Ramsay of Ameriprise Financial, the speaker for the Credit for Life Fair, on the morning of Friday, February 17th.  All of a sudden, the active audience erupted into a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. Although some confusion reigned at the beginning as many were unsure of the celebrant, the chorus of “dear Dr. Girouard McCann” made the song’s target very obvious.  

At the conclusion of the song, Dr. Girouard McCann, who had been standing at the front of the auditorium, was very gracious for the recognition.  However, she could not take the moment all for herself.  With a big smile, Dr. Girouard McCann reminded students to “wish happy birthday to Mr. Woolley as it is his birthday too”.

The courtesy shown by Dr Girouard McCann for Mr. Woolley, a well-respected history teacher, is the same courtesy that the esteemed principal extends to every member of the faculty at Hingham High.  In fact, in her seventeen years as principal,  Dr. Girouard McCann has hired all but ten of the current faculty members.  When hiring, she notes that she, “hires people who are invested and who want to commit to working in a school like [Hingham High] where things are academically challenging”.

Additionally, whether a faculty member has worked at HHS for one year or over fifteen years, Dr. Girouard McCann’s door is always open.  Describing herself as “not a formal person”, the principal believes that she, “is someone they can come to for advice”.  Having been an English teacher herself in the past, Dr. Girouard McCann has worked in the classroom and has much wisdom to share about the experience.  

The positive and open relationship that the principal fosters with the faculty is not only reflected in their work everyday, but also very visible to students.  Therefore, when the news first broke of Dr. Girouard McCann’s retirement, students were not surprised to see their teachers standing in solidarity with the principal, wearing buttons with her initials, PGM.  

In fact, when asked about working for Dr. Girouard McCann as a boss, all faculty members raved about their wonderful experience.  For instance, history teacher, Ms. O’Connor, was quick to state that “Dr Girouard McCann has always been a strong leader for me to look up to.  She knows her job inside and out and she sets an example for all of us to follow. She is fair, wise, and supportive.”  

However, Dr. Girouard McCann is not all business with the faculty.  She can also share a laugh with them.  Many upperclassmen and faculty at Hingham High may remember that the former head of the Social Studies Department and current AP European History teacher, Mr. Kirkcaldy, kept a framed photograph of the esteemed principal in his office.  He recalls displaying the picture as a joke because no one ever has a picture of their boss on their desk.  Well, he still has that photograph in his space in the Social Studies office and noted, “Dr. Girouard McCann knows about the picture and we laugh together”.

Dr. Girouard McCann also recalled one of her most humorous moments as the leader of HHS. When a former football coach was receiving an award, the principal conspired with some of his football players to trick him into thinking he was in trouble.  She remembers, “marching out onto the field looking as angry as possible”, and then, once the coach and team gathered around her, she shared the good news.

Overall, Dr. Girouard McCann has undoubtedly had a strong impact on the faculty and has shaped the strong academic environment of HHS.  When asked of her proudest moment, Dr. Girouard cited the numerous awards that teachers have won and simply declared that there was no way to pick a favorite as “there are too many good people here”.

This mutual respect between principal and faculty has allowed HHS to thrive over these past seventeen years.  There is no doubt that the faculty will miss Dr. Girouard McCann’s powerful presence in the years to come.  As for Dr. Girouard McCann, she will “miss them all terribly as people”.