Some of Sandy Fields’ former and current students stand ready to greet him at his surprise retirement celebration at Danville High School.| Andrea Williamson

Andrea Williamson

Hartselle Enquirer

A school and the surrounding community gathered at Danville High School Sat., July 18, to celebrate the career of a retiring teacher.

Sandy Fields, who served as the agriscience teacher and FFA sponsor at DHS for 29 years, was welcomed to the surprise celebration by current and former students standing on each side of the parking lot. Inside the gymnasium, the students were joined by Fields’ family, DHS parents, Morgan County teachers and faculty and other community members to recognize Fields’ accomplishments.

Several former students spoke at the event, sharing their memories of FFA and Fields’ classes. Speaker Brett Crow, a 2003 DHS graduate and an animal science professor at Mississippi State University, said that Fields had a huge influence on his career path.

“College wasn’t on my radar, and I just went through the motions in high school,” Crow said. “Mr. Fields helped me find my niche, though. He is the best motivator I have ever met. As a teacher and coach at the college level, I think about how Sandy Fields would do things. Almost anything I have accomplished I can trace back to my family or Mr. Fields.”

In addition to praising his career as a teacher, though, the students said that it was Fields’ interest in their personal lives that made him special.

“Mr. Fields is one of my best friends today,” former student Josh Melson said. “He was not just a teacher: he really knew each of us. He may retire as our teacher, but I can guarantee you he’ll never quit being our advisor. If we call him, he’ll still be there.”

Following his retirement, Fields plans to farm and spend more time with his son, Caleb. Fields said he had originally planned to farm after high school until he decided to become a teacher. While he looks forward to returning to his first passion, Fields said that his decision to retire from teaching was not easy.

“I still enjoy teaching, but I had to make some decisions. My father’s health is not as good as it once was, and teaching and farming at the same time was almost like holding two jobs. I look forward to the challenge of doing something new.”

When asked what advice he would leave for incoming DHS agriscience teacher Ethan Lake, Fields responded that he should focus on the students.

“Always put student students first,” Fields said. “Treat them like they’re your own. I treated the students like they were my own through good and bad. That was the only way I knew to do things. When they’ve graduated, I’ve made many good friends.”