After 35 years in education and more than a decade at MHS, English teacher Brian McGarry is saying goodbye to the classroom, and leaving behind a legacy.
The path into teaching was fueled by a deep interest in storytelling, particularly film, McGarry said.
“I started out teaching junior high for nine years, then went into administration for thirteen years and eventually found my way back into the classroom,” McGarry said.
“I studied film in college,” McGarry said. “Analyzing film is a lot like analyzing literature. You’re looking at how things are constructed, how meaning is built, so it just made sense.”
McGarry originally joined MHS as an administrator, but later became an English and film history teacher, he said.
“I burned out 13 years in admin,” McGarry said. “ I wanted to get back into the classroom. I missed the daily banter; I mean, it’s frustrating, but fun.”
Students have changed a lot over the years, and it is all because of technology, McGarry said.
“We’ve gone from worksheets to laptops and now AI,” McGarry said. “It changes everything–the way students write, revise, and even the way teachers interact with students. Back in the day, students were excited about using laserdiscs in classrooms.”
Over the years, McGarry has enjoyed teaching books like “The Great Gatsby” and “Lord of the Flies,” he said.
“There are a lot of books, but ‘The Kite Runner,’ obviously, it’s a very adult topic, but the students have all handled it very maturely. And, you know, and got into the students’ experience, or the characters’ experience,” McGarry said. “One (book)I wish I had had a chance to teach would have been ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany.’ I loved it. I like the idea of going in there – in all the books – and making sense from the symbolism, the structure – how authors create these pictures.”
After retirement, McGarry wants to lead a simple, relaxed life, he said.
“I want to travel, spend time with my grandson, and maybe take some photos. Just sit and read for enjoyment without feeling exhausted from grading essays,” he said. “I’ll probably still work part-time, maybe sub, or do something social.”
McGarry will miss his students the most, he said.
“It’s always been about the students,” McGarry said. “Their energy, their growth – they keep me young.“I’ve been to their weddings, their college graduations … I’ve even given a eulogy at a student’s funeral.”
McGarry has been a mentor to both students and staff and is often a go-to person for teachers navigating curriculum or campus culture, English teacher Tonichi Lorenzana said.
Beyond the classroom, McGarry has had a deep impact on student life by leading the E-Tech Academy and supporting school events, Lorenzana said.
“One of the things that I think really speaks to McGarry is just his level of dedication to his students as whole individuals,” Lorenzana said. “He’s done a lot of stuff—planning field trips, mentoring other teachers, being a class advisor, helping with Homecoming and Trojan Olympics. He’s that trusted adult that many students rely on.”
In the classroom, McGarry has always balanced strong instruction with life skills, Lorenzana said.
“His students really respect him, and they do learn a lot of different things—content, writing, and kind of how to be a functioning adult,” he said. “He teaches them how to interact with one another appropriately and shows them a level of professionalism.”
McGarry has left a legacy at MHS and has changed the English department, Lorenzana said.
“But honestly, it’s been a lengthy and full career that made a huge impact on literally thousands of people, Lorenzana said.”