In September 1967, a woman named Marie Bailey started teaching kindergarten at Hollin Meadows Elementary School. She was one of seven teachers selected in Fairfax County to begin a pilot kindergarten program. Bailey was an unknown entity to the county, having moved from Redding, Penns., where she taught first grade for six years.
Thirty-seven years later, however, she is known and beloved to thousands of students who have passed through Room 24. Many of those students, which span two generations, came together for a retirement garden party in honor of Marie Bailey. The party, which was held in the school cafeteria, was attended by parents, staff members, family and the entire community. Many of the guests wore garden party attire, especially hats; they also brought plants for Marie to add to her garden.
Principal Jon Gates led the program by first reading from a letter he had written to Bailey. "It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter. I am glad for you and wish you much happiness in your retirement and thank you for the many contributions you have made to Hollin Meadows Science and Math Focus School. I am also a bit saddened to think about you not being here welcoming another group of incoming kindergartners to Room 24 next September. . ."
". . . Over the past two years that I have worked with you, you showed time and again the characteristics and traits that exemplify the very best teachers. Your compassion, persistence, patience, dedication, consistency, creativity, and energy serve as models that the rest of us strive to emulate. With self-respect and dignity you have shown us all what it means to be called, 'teacher.'
"Marie, it has truly been an honor and pleasure to get to know you personally and professionally. On both counts, I hold you in high esteem. Indeed you are not only a caring human being but a professional educator in every sense of the word," said Gates.
FOLLOWING GATES was Lisa McMullen; all four of her children, Nora, Eli, Sofie and Camille had Bailey as their kindergarten teacher.
"They were lucky enough to have Mrs. Bailey welcome them to the world of real school," McMullen said.
Andrew Chang said he was both a parent and a former student.
"I remember taking Alexander [my son] to class and wondering if Mrs. Bailey would still be there," Chang said. '"Do you remember me?' I asked."
Chang said that she not only remembered him, but remembered that he lived on Range Road and had a sister named Ann.
"For the last five years, I've been known as the parent who was the former student," Chang said. "Thank you from three generations of Changs, including my parents."
Margaret Peterson, a former kindergarten teacher who retired from Belle View Elementary School a few years ago, talked about her 20-year friendship with Bailey.
"I'm happy for you, Marie. Call me and we'll go to lunch," Peterson said.
Diane Hohman, PTA president at Hollin Meadows, remembers how much Bailey helped with the Roy Rogers fundraising nights.
"We were so fortunate to have staff to help us out and Marie was always one of them. She was always willing to help out. She had so much enthusiasm and energy. I have a kindergartner coming next year and I'm sorry that you won't be here," Hohman said.
Bailey then spoke, thanking everybody for "the wonderful turnout."
I have so many fond memories. There were so many fabulous teachers and I loved working with them. The children, of course, were our main concern and they were absolutely wonderful," Bailey said.