Retiree Tributes

Almost forty years ago, in the fall of 1976 and fresh out of college, Rick Thompson arrived at McDonogh ready to teach science. And, thankfully he never left. That is the epitome of dedicating one’s life to a school.

Rick has guided, coached, and educated thousands of young minds, and he has loved the ability to be with and influence children in his positive, happy way, every day of his career. The children have always been Rick’s inspiration to come to a place that he describes as never work, just a passion and a privilege.

Rick’s first passion has always been science. He began the signature Eighth Grade Bay Trip back in the 80’s. This trip is treasured by students (and most chaperones) and remembered long after most Middle School memories have faded away. Mr. T., you have  a standing invitation to chaperone the Bay Trip any time.

As Department Chair starting in 1991, Rick has led fellow science teachers through innovation and changes over the years. Throughout his career, Rick also coached a variety of sports from both girls and boys soccer in Upper School, to Middle School baseball and a little lacrosse. Most recently, he turned his personal pleasure of golf into a coaching stint with the girls varsity golf team.

The body of Rick’s excellent teaching and coaching was recognized in 2009 when he was awarded the John T. Grega Teaching Chair.

A life-long-learner, Rick is a role model to his colleagues. With retirement on the horizon, Rick could have continued teaching the same lessons year after year, but instead, he recently revamped his curriculum to include a unit studying Robotics. His design supports our LifeReady initiatives as well as an assessment model based on narrative evaluation not grades.

Please join me in congratulating Rick on his retirement and thanking him for his many years of “passioned and privileged” service and dedication to McDonogh. Truly, the privilege has been ours.

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