Farmington High Says Goodbye to Dr. Breslin, Bartolotta and Ted Lindquist

As the 316 graduates of the class of 2013 bid goodbye to Farmington High School, some of the school's longest-serving and most beloved faculty were doing so as well.

Among them, two "honorary members of the class," Principal Dr. Timothy Breslin and English teacher Ted Bartolotta, both of whom had served countless students through years at the school.

The departure of Dr. Breslin, who has been Farmington High's principal for 11 years, was referred to often during the graduation ceremony Thursday, both by nostalgic students and administrators.

Board of Education Chairman Mary Grace Reed called him "our beloved principal" and quoted him as saying "other than our families you [the students] are why we exist."

She credited him with the helping build Farmington's academic success and responsible people.

"Tim, your culture of mutual respect for everyone... is at the core of our national success but more importantly is embedded in these students and every student you have handed a diploma to you."

Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Greider told the graduates to think of "D Bres" on their journey, as an exemplar "who found his passion, demonstrated grit... and made a significant impact on thousands of students."

Students chose the departing Bartolotta to deliver the faculty farewell at the graduation ceremony and delivered a poignant and clever speech weaving together lessons learned from the characters in J.D. Salinger's Franny, Herman Hesse's Siddartha and mythology's Theseus. 

Bartolotta said he found himself loving those students who would not fit into Procrustes' mythical bed, but "I tried real hard to love you all."

And clearly the students love him. Following the speech, one FHS student tweeted, "I aspire to be even a fraction of how intelligent and articulate Bart is."

Bartolotta will continue on as assistant coach for both girls and boys swimming.

Reed also mentioned Farmington's first technology director Ted Lindquist, who leaves the district after 37 years, having taken it from floppy disks to wireless devices and apps. 

In a previous email to Patch, Reed said Lindquist, who started as a classroom teacher introducing students to Microsoft Word, had an impact both on his students but on technology in education throughout the state.

"[His students] remember Ted’s classroom vividly, often quoting a bit wisdom or knowledge he imparted 25 years ago. The quotes and stories of ‘Mr. Lindquist’ are always recounted with deep admiration and a warm smile," she wrote.

"He is a multi-talented individual with boundless energy and a constant willingness to help wherever and whenever help was needed.  Tedwould go to any length to engage students in learning, to find a solution, to identify resource, to ignite a spark that would set a student off on a lifelong journey in pursuit of knowledge."