The Hidden Gem of The History Department

The History Department’s Hidden Gem

A person in North Quincy High School who is worthy of praise and commendation to me is undoubtedly Mrs. McCarthy. She has been working at north for 18 years and has been nothing but a good influence to her students and colleagues.

Ms. McCarthy was born at St. Margaret's hospital in Dorchester and spent most of her early life growing up in Hingham. Like most teenagers she was unsure on what career path to choose. She wasn't always sure she was going to be a teacher. Originally she went to college and majored in theatre and later evolved into wanting to be a history teacher. She then studied history, Irish studies and obviously education.

Ms. McCarthy has put countless hours of her time and effort into trying to help those in the local community. But how did she learn ways to help? Originally a couple of mothers in the Quincy community wished to help the homeless people around Boston and Quincy, they created small goodie bags filled with products such as shampoo, conditioner, food, water and clothes. The ladies later learned that what homeless people requested most was none other than a pair of socks for the winter. Upon hearing this 6 years ago Ms. McCarthy began holding sock drives within and outside of the school, these drives continue to this day and are taking place right now.

With that being said, the homeless aren't the only group of people in our community she helps. One event that is held nearly every year is a lunch between senior citizens and the students of North Quincy. During this event the students and senior citizens usually discuss politics, the state of the world and just have a good time. When asked about her proudest moment as someone who hosts events like the lunches and drives, she simply replied “receiving thank you letters from the senior citizens who attended our lunches with the students.”

Ms. McCarthy also stated that she tries to help other community members such as veterans, first responders, students in kindergarten and our own learning center kids here at North. A good example of this is when Ms. McCarthy collaborates with her cousin who is a 3rd grade teacher, her 12th graders and the 3rd grader meet up with first responders like firefighters and let the kids ride along with the fire trucks.

With all this information in mind, you still have to consider that Ms. McCarthy is still a teacher on top of everything else. She still gives her students one hundred percent of her effort every day and tries to make her lessons as enjoyable as possible. Our most recent project has been all about the individual student’s family history and who they are; just so she can get to learn her students on a more personal level.

I feel like juggling the mix between helping many different groups of people, being a mother and being the most up-beat teacher in the school is truly worthy of commendation.