Westborough High School history teacher Ms. Gormley has been inspiring students for 16 years both in and outside the classroom. She continues to engage her students through creative lessons and loves to see how they grow as the school years progress.

Prior to working at WHS, Ms. Gormley received her masters from the University of Scotland. Funny enough, her husband, Mr. McIntyre graduated on the very same day, just eight seats apart. However, they would not meet each other until two years later.

“The university was big and they had several graduation ceremonies for Masters’ students,” Ms. Gormley shares.

Ms. Gormley explains that she is “fascinated with the past and how people were able to do so much with so little.” There is so much to cover and learn about and it really is the “history of us and the history of humanity.”

She hopes to excite her students with these aspects of history. She wants to help them in having quality writing and note-taking techniques and adds “even if they don’t like history, I want to make sure they have good people skills.”

After all, it was her own social studies teachers who helped grow her interest in the subject. Her freshman year history teacher, Mr. Divine, especially impacted her ongoing passion she has today.

Oftentimes when past students walk past her room on the day of the Factory Simulation, – an activity that imitates the feelings and voices of overworked employees during the Industrial Revolution- they point out the sign and recall the memorable lesson. Ms. Gormley appreciates the fact that the activity is an unforgettable one during the years at WHS.

Throughout her years teaching, Ms. Gormley enjoys seeing how students have changed and grown up to be seniors. As an advisor of Mr. WHS, this proves to showcase just that. The first year she took the position, she was very unsure of what the show was; however, it continues today as something she really looks forward to and a time when she can offer advice.

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Ms. Gormley also advises the club that raises awareness for cancer, Rangers for a Cure. Two students had come to her knowing a club like this held importance. Her mother had passed away from breast cancer. Ms. Gormley’s mother was one of her biggest influences on her becoming a teacher, as she had been one herself. The passion she taught with was admirable and something Gormley wished to emulate.

After the tough year with COVID-19, Ms. Gormley remains optimistic for the year ahead. A sense of normalcy has already surfaced with fall sports, but she hopes musicals, plays and Competition Day will return. She admits how it would be great to not have to wear masks because it is “nice to see kids smile and them see my smile and laugh.” However, teachers and staff want everyone to stay safe!

Ms. Gormley puts a lot into her teaching. That is why she describes 2020-2021 as “the hardest year of my career.” Teaching six classes instead of three is far from easy and she didn’t want either cohort to miss out on the renowned “Gormley experience” that her teaching inhabits.

When not in school, Ms. Gormley can be found cooking up new recipes or on a plane flying to new destinations. She cannot stop visiting places she has learned and taught about and when she does, it serves as an incredible full circle moment.