Mary Robert (Nahm) Garrett, Ph. D, has been the Dean of Faculty Development at Berea College for the last year. She's a 1998 Danville High School graduate.

"I have four kiddos in the Berea Community School system ... so I stay involved in the local school," she said. "As a former Admiral, I've found it difficult to buy black-and-gold, but I do it for my kiddos. Fortunately, Berea College is all about the blue and white."

Garrett coached the Berea Community Middle School cross country team during the 2015-2016 academic year. She was on Danville's cross country team from 1991-1998 and ran on Berea's course often during that time.

"It has been really fun to run on that same cross country course, creek and all, as an adult and think about Coach [E.G.] Plummer cheering me on," Garrett said.

The Danville Independent School District asked Garrett about her Danville Schools experience.

Tell us about your Danville Schools journey. What school(s) did you attend, and what’s a highlight that stands out?

I attended Montessori for kindergarten and Hogsett for 1st-4th grades as my mom taught there. I attended Toliver for S.P.U.R.T (the former Gifted and Talented program), and 5th grade. I attended Bate for all of middle school and Danville High. The only school I didn't attend was Jennie Rogers. Hogsett had a great playground. My fondest memories at Bate were at the dances in the cleared-out cafeteria. My favorite memories from high school were from Mr. Hoffman's chemistry class, Madame Goodwin for French, and Mr. Moore's calculus class.

What aspects of your Danville Schools education helped mold you into the person you are today?

I could tell after going to college that the classes I had at Danville High were top-notch. I felt prepared and proud of my education and background. I was able to take a wide range of classes and find what interested me.

What advice would you give to a parent who was choosing an education path for their child?

Just support your child. Don't try to imprint your desires, your skills, your dreams on your child. Just let them be who they are and support them along that journey.

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