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    ALBEMARLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

HALL OF FAME

Marilyn Jones Fantino

Marilyn Fantino was an English teacher at AHS for 33 years from 1963 to 1997. She was the Chairperson of the English Department for many of those years.  Marilyn was a professional educator, and she initiated many projects that aided the school and the students.  One fellow educator stated, "Marilyn was there when needed. She was there to explain, to answer and to guide. She was there for extra help and when there was a problem. She was there when you needed to talk, and she was there when you needed advice. She was there when you needed a friend." One fellow teacher wrote, "In the years 1966 to 1991 when I was privileged to teach alongside her, I never knew her to give up on a student." 

Another educator wrote, "Everything she did was out of love, concern, commitment, and compassion for students." Starting in 1984, Marilyn received the Virginia Association of Teachers of English Award several times and was recognized for her service by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. She sponsored and organized the Creative Arts Week at AHS and has been a volunteer for The Virginia Festival of the Book for many years.  Marilyn is an active member of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Retired Teachers Association and continues to serve as Director of the Food Bank Association.  Marilyn was named the 2009 JABA Volunteer of the Year, received Metlife's national "Older Americans Enrich America Award. in 2004.  An Applegram from a student summed up Marilyn's impact, stating "I like English because you make it fun to learn and you care!