Herb Saunders, Contributor
Herb began his teaching career with Prince William County Schools in 1939 at Osbourn High School. In 1947, after two years in the Navy, he became the Principal of Occoquan District High School, starting and coaching the first high school football team in the school’s history. In 1953, when Occoquan High School moved to Gar-Field High School, Herb Saunders continued in his role as Principal. He remained at Gar-Field as Principal until 1963, when he became Director of Personnel and Interim Superintendent until his retirement in 1975. After retirement, He served as the Dumfries representative on the Prince William County School Board from 1975 thru 1980. Herb Saunders was never an “office” Principal but was out in the halls engaging student’s in conversation and visiting the classrooms, observing the interaction between the students and teachers. The philosophy of the school was developed collectively between administration and teachers who, working together set goals in order to accomplish their objectives. Treating everyone fairly and equally was the hallmark of his philosophy. Herb Saunders was affectionately known as the “Grey Ghost”, by faculty and students, because of his white hair and stealthy ability to appear out of nowhere. Herb Saunders had a love and allegiance for Gar-field High School that never diminished over the years. |