Honoring Mr. Patrick Tierney on Teacher Appreciation Day for 50 Years of Teaching

This year’s Teacher Appreciation Day holds particular significance as we recognize Mr. Patrick Tierney, the beloved Latin teacher at Glendale Prep, who will retire at the end of the school year. Mr. Tierney concludes a remarkable 50-year career in education, including the last ten years spent making an unforgettable impact at Great Hearts.

Each year, Teacher Appreciation Day offers a special opportunity to pause and honor the educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the minds and hearts of young people. It is a moment to reflect on the countless hours teachers invest, the encouragement they offer, and the profound difference they make both in and beyond the classroom. Teachers are among the most important builders of society, and today we celebrate one of our finest.

Known for arriving each morning in his sporty Corvette, sharing thoughtful and thought-provoking quips with fellow staff members and students, and for faithfully attending student games and events outside of school hours, Tierney is a mentor, cheerleader, and friend to generations of students, as well as a great teacher. His example of living a life in pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty has profoundly shaped the school community.

Since joining Glendale Prep in 2015, when his “brand new chariot” had only 400 miles, now proudly carrying over 124,000, Tierney has been a constant presence, encouraging students to push themselves academically and personally. He is the voice of the morning announcements and many football games, a job title that he said he just happened to step into one day and never stopped. “I have never met microphone I didn’t love,” he joked. The students, however, have found a reliable comfort in starting the day out with his voice.

While Tierney had many milestones during his teaching career that started back in September of 1974, it was when he came to Glendale Prep 10 years ago, that made a lasting impression on him. Brandon Crowe, the then Headmaster at Glendale Prep, who now serves as the Superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona, invited him to observe a senior Humane Letters class. “I was totally blown away. I was almost knocked out,” he recalled, adding, “I have never seen anything like this.”

“Mr. Crowe didn’t know it at the time and the school didn’t know it at the time, but I was maybe waiting for them to select me as a teacher, but I had already selected GP as a place that I wanted to teach at,” he shared.

“I have nothing but the fondest memories of my experience,” reflected Tierney. “I have been surrounded by the greatest of teachers and administrators.”

On this Teacher Appreciation Day, we thank Mr. Tierney for his tireless devotion, his unwavering belief in his students, and the countless ways he has shaped Glendale Prep for the better. His legacy will continue to live in the minds and hearts of all those privileged to know him.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day. And a fond, grateful thank you to Mr. Patrick Tierney! As he closes out the announcements each day, “Have a wonderful day. Thank you for your attention, and remember, it’s always a great day to be a Griffin!”

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