Polly Fuller

Polly Fuller was one of the most respected and beloved teachers in the history of WCHS. 

As Polly Sponsler, she was a 1991 graduate of WCHS, graduating 4th in her class.  She participated in many activities, including softball, where the team would finish 3rd in the state her senior year.

After her tenure at WCHS, she attended the University of Wisconsin and earned a degree in business.  Seeking a change after graduation, she earned a second degree in Spanish and moved to Costa Rica for a year to attend a language school.  When she returned, she started teaching Spanish at Normal Community High School.

It was in Bloomington-Normal where Polly met the love of her life Thomas Fuller, and they married in 2000.  Polly found her way to WCHS in 2003 and began a 14-year career teaching Spanish at her alma mater. 

A few years into her career, Polly became disenchanted with the way she was teaching Spanish and switched to a more conversational, immersive approach.  This completely changed her experience and that of her students.

Her true gift, as stated in her WCHS Hall of Fame nomination:

Polly's greatest achievement at WCHS is not measurable on report cards or reportable on transcripts. Polly's greatest achievement at WCHS is leaving a legacy of caring and concern for the social and emotional growth and development of her students. Upon her passing, countless former students reported on the impact Polly had on their lives during high school and afterward. According to one of her former students, "I love Mrs. Fuller, and she has made such an impact on how I view school, education, relationships, family, and life as a whole. I would not be the person I am today without her, and she has allowed me to not constantly be chasing after the letter grade, but rather the goal of learning and growing." 

Fuller was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in August 2018, within three weeks of her co-worker Kevin Brown being diagnosed with the same condition.  She passed away January 23, 2023.

Fuller is a two-time inductee into the WCHS Hall of Fame, both as an individual and as a member of the 1991 WCHS softball team.