Mr. Murphy’s Final Farewell

Marshall Hodges, Staff Writer|May 26, 2021

Everyone loves Mr. Murphy. He has a very likeable personality and he makes his classes easy and engaging. Disregarding the fact that Mr. Murphy and I have had some minor problems concerning the legitimacy of my focus in his class, I have loved my two years of class with him. I think most people would agree that World History from Sophomore year was a breeze and Government/Economics from senior year were easy and fun as well. It is very sad to see that Mr. Murphy is retiring because he truly is a great teacher. His teaching style is simple and to the books which I think everyone can appreciate. He is also a great teacher for the history department as a whole.

A quote from Carl Jung summarizes my experience with Mr. Murphy: “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”

I asked Mr. Murphy some interesting questions about his general experience at Magnet:

 

Question: What has been your favorite class to teach at Magnet and why?

Answer: Probably World History because I love history and have not had the chance to teach it very often.

Question: Do you recall any interesting experiences with any of your students?
Answer: One day, at the old school, my cat coffee mug disappeared.  I looked for it for several days. Then it showed up on top of my desk encased in jello.  Very funny!
Question: If you had to teach any other department, which one would it be and why?
Answer: The English department because the teachers are nice (not that other departments aren’t nice too)
Question: What will you miss most about Academic Magnet?
Answer: My teacher friends.  And the fire drills.
Question: Do you have a favorite class (year) of students?
Answer:It would have been the 2009 or 2010 Seniors, they are the only class in my 21 years at Magnet that I have given a speech at the baccalaureate for.
Question: Do you remember a senior prank that you thought was funny?
Answer: A long time ago at the Magnet on the old Navy base, the seniors put a teacher’s car up on cement cinder blocks.  It was very funny and very, very wrong.
We will miss you Mr. Murphy.