Six well-respected and long-serving educators retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Carol Besanko, Andrea Hyland, Sandra Rockett, Rob Roy, Gary Speed and Sue Speed each wrapped up a successful career in education in the Gorham schools. All will truly be missed!

Carol Besanko:

Carol Besanko came to Gorham in 1996 after teaching in Old Orchard Beach schools for several years. She and her husband settled in Gorham and raised their children here. Over the span of 27 years at GHS, she has also served on various committees, functioned as a Team Leader, and taught in the Extended School Year program.

Mrs. Besanko said, “As I retire, I will hold on to fond memories of working for Gorham Schools. I will truly miss serving students at GHS. I will miss watching them grow from teens to adults and being a part of their adolescent journey. I will miss sharing in their laughter, their accomplishments, their honesty, their joys, and their sorrows. I will also miss helping them plan for their futures beyond high school. I will forever keep my students close to my heart.”

In her retirement, Mrs. Besanko plans to substitute teach, participate in her spend more time with her parents, and of course travel more often than once a year.

Andrea Hyland:

Nineteen years ago, Andrea Hyland came to Gorham from Waynfleet School where she served in the academic support program while her children were young. She chose to apply in Gorham because she hoped to work in a community with a well-respected school system.

She was hired as a Special Education Resource Room teacher at Village School, a position she held for 11 years. For the past 8 years, she has been the Instructional Strategist at Village which provided her the opportunity to work with all the staff at Village, as well as a greater number of students and families in her work to help students be successful at school.

“I recall so many fun events and times at Village through the years, as well as having the opportunity to work with the same students for several years and really getting to know them and their families. I will miss hearing the fun stories from students about all kinds of topics and hearing their laughter and joy in the hallways. I will also miss my incredible colleagues for whom I have so much respect and admiration for the hard work being done daily. There are so many fun memories from the past 19 years, which I will continue to reflect on in the years to come, “said Mrs. Hyland.

In retirement, she plans to travel extensively. She also plans to volunteer, and pursue her interests in sewing, gardening, biking, cross country skiing, reading, playing piano, and spending unhurried time with family and friends.

Sandra Rockett:

Sandra Rockett has retired from her position as GHS Librarian after many successful years. She will truly be missed by the staff and students for her professionalism, her dedication, and her friendliness.

Rob Roy:

Rob Roy began his career in Gorham 38 years ago as Teacher Assistant to Industrial Arts Teacher, Roger Lord. After graduating from USM, he was hired to fill a vacancy as a technology teacher. For the past 38 years, he has taught technology, health education and even health education to seventh graders when there was a need and no funding for an additional position.

“Gorham High School has truly been a second home to me. I cannot say enough positive things about Gorham, our community, and our schools. I have enjoyed seeing so many of the students that I have had over the years entering into the world of adulthood and being successful and happy!”

Mr. Roy is proud that our community has always been accepting of diversity. “Gorham was one of the first communities in the state to have a Gay, Straight Alliance (known today as Rainbow League) at the high school. The parent support from the community has always been amazing.”

Mr. Roy plans to take some time to travel, do more rides on the motorcycle and spend more time at his camp in Rumford and spend the winter months in Puerto Rico.

Gary Speed:

In the 1982- 83 school year, a physical education position opened up at Village School and provided Gary Speed with the opportunity to become a teacher and coach in the Gorham School District. During the last 40 years, he has been a Shaw School PE teacher, K-5 PE teacher at Village School, creative arts team leader for 5 years, Gorham Recreation kids camp director for 20 years, as well as a soccer, basketball, and track coach at the middle and high school levels.

Mr. Speed reflected on his years in Gorham, “Coaching in my early years was awesome, I will miss coaching and working with students. I will especially miss seeing how much students enjoyed coming to PE class and the fun that they would have while getting physically fit in my class.”

His future plans include traveling with his wife, Sue, visiting their first grandchild due in July, as well as lots of fly fishing and baseball umpiring.