By Dynaziah Hampton, ‘27

Staff Writer

At the end of this school year, Hanover High School will say goodbye to six veteran teachers: Kevin Perry, Maura Aborn, Nancy Green, Meg Halloran and Anthony “Doc” DeFranzo. Together, they have nearly 150 years of teaching experience, and that collective wisdom and skill has had a significant impact on our school. The Hawk caught up with them to ask about their careers and plans for the future.

Mrs. Aborn

Mrs. Aborn has called HHS her home for 21 of her 24 years teaching. She’s served as a class advisor as well as a National Honor Society advisor. Some of her favorite memories as a Spanish teacher focus on meaningful interactions with students, including unexpected visits from graduates. She also fondly recalled leading a student trip to Machu Picchu in Peru and spending two weeks in France with exchange students.

The most important lesson from her career is patience and understanding, Mrs. Aborn said. It’s important to recognize that students may not always be what they appear to be; some who seem grouchy, for example, may actually be shy. She emphasizes treating every student as if they were her own child, believing each is the most important person in somebody’s life.

Mrs. Aborn’s teaching philosophy has remained consistent over the years, focusing on personal connection and values, even as educational methods have evolved. The constant shifts in teaching methods have required adaptability while staying true to personal values, she said. One big challenge she faced was starting her teaching career later in life with a non-traditional background. Before becoming a teacher, she worked as a translator for the federal government. She also stayed home to raise her children for 10 years, supporting the family by waitressing and selling cars online. Her parenting experience helped her understand students’ perspectives, she said.

After retirement, Mrs. Aborn plans to spend more time with her two grandchildren. She and her husband are taking a cruise from Italy to Greece, including stops in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Athens, and Santorini — a trip she describes as a “crazy vacation” she’s never done before. She joked about possibly needing to work at Home Depot when she returns to pay for all the souvenirs.

Mr. Perry

Known for his impromptu singing as much as for his skills in the History classroom, Mr. Perry has taught at HHS for 29 years. He says the highlight of his career has been working with students both in the classroom and during educational trips around Europe. This year, he led a group to London and Scotland.

The biggest change Mr. Perry has observed in his career is technology, which he said has transformed education in both positive and negative ways — especially cell phones and artificial intelligence. A challenge he’s overcome has been developing patience and adapting to the diverse learning styles of students. He emphasizes that “words matter,” noting that he’s learned that positive words and smiles can have a major impact.

After retirement, Mr. Perry plans to “low-key chill” before possibly pursuing part-time work in the communications industry. He is excited about the possible release of the third part of Beyonce’s Renaissance and Cowboy Carter album trilogy, and plans to attend her concert if it happens.

Mrs. Green

A chemistry teacher, Mrs. Green joined HHS in 2011. She said for much of that time, teaching has felt like something she’s done for fun, rather than a job. The best days were when she shared a bit of knowledge, demonstrated a concept or conducted a lab and elicited a “wow or “woah” from students. She enjoyed those moments when students admitted that the science was at least a little cool.

The biggest change Mrs. Green has experienced in her career is the reliance on computers and the advent of social media. When she took her first teaching job in 2000 after a career in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, the Internet was young and there were no smartphones, she said. The emergence of AI has made the educational environment “unrecognizable” from those early years, she said, and she worries how it is impacting language skills and attention spans.

An admittedly shy person, Mrs. Green said her biggest challenge came in her early years, when she had to get used to feeling comfortable in front of a classroom.

In the future, Mrs. Green plans to read the many books she hasn’t had time for, especially in her favorite genre of historical fiction. She wants to visit her four siblings and extended families, as well as her son and grandchildren, who are scattered in five states across the country. She also looks forward to working out more. 

Mrs. Halloran

Known for her kind smile and warm presence, Mrs. Halloran has been a special education teacher at HHS since 2009. She says it’s hard to pick just one favorite moment of her career, but joked that her retirement is at the top of the list. 

The biggest change she’s experienced in her career is transitioning from Boston schools to more suburban communities like Hanover. She recalled several instances in the city schools when the community was touched by gun violence. “Experiences like that were a big difference.” A challenge she’s dealt with has been keeping up with the demands of school and students as she’s gotten older.

One lesson she’s learned is that we all need to recognize that no one is perfect, and students may be struggling with challenges that others know nothing about. “Everybody has something,” she said. 

Mrs. Halloran isn’t sure what retirement holds for her – “I haven’t thought about that yet,” she joked.

“Doc” DeFranzo

A member of the HHS community since 1994, Doc has become synonymous with Physics in his career. While The Hawk was unable to interview Doc for this article, we know his instruction has encouraged many students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math fields. Whether measuring the loudest class cheer at the annual Homecoming Pep Rally, coaching from the sidelines of the tennis courts or leading the math team, Doc has been a symbol of knowledge and determination. As a tireless leader in the teachers’ union for many years, Doc has advocated for his colleagues across the district. “Your voice and leadership have made a lasting difference for all of us,” Mr. Brown said in a dedication in the 2026 yearbook.

Mr. Faria

Mr. Faria, an engineering teacher, joined HHS in 1994. The Hawk was unable to secure an interview with the attention-shy Mr. Faria. But in the 2026 yearbook, longtime colleague Mr. Amonte called Mr. Faria “a pillar of quiet wisdom, possessing an encyclopedic knowledge that he shares through conversation and a constantly innovative curriculum.” Mr. Faria made the school’s shop and engineering lab a favorite place of many students. Graduating senior Matthew Yan called him “by far, the best teacher on Earth.”

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Whether looking forward to travel, concerts, family or just plain rest in their retirement, these teachers take with them the best wishes of the HHS community. They’ve made a lasting impact on decades of students and coworkers, and their dedication, knowledge and compassion will be missed.

Photos from the Hanover High School 2026 Yearbook