Longtime educator and Fairfield Community High School graduate Linda Monge will serve as a special alumni speaker during the FCHS 100th year celebration banquet on October 3.
Monge, a 1968 FCHS graduate, has spent more than 50 years in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education from the University of Illinois in 1972 and later earned a master’s degree in mathematics education and a secondary principal’s certificate.
Her teaching career began at Lincoln Junior High School in Carbondale before she taught at North Posey High School in Poseyville, Indiana. After returning to Fairfield, Monge taught all eighth-grade subjects at New Hope Grade School for three years.
She then spent more than 30 years teaching mathematics at FCHS, where she also served as Student Council sponsor, Scholastic team coach and Math team coach.
Monge later joined Frontier Community College, where she is beginning her 17th year teaching mathematics. She has also served three semesters as interim Dean of Instruction and is the advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, the community college honor society.
Her community involvement includes more than 30 years as a Fairfield Park Board commissioner, and she also serves on the Happy Day Express board.
Monge and her husband, Dee, have three children, all FCHS graduates, and five grandchildren. The couple remains active supporters of local athletics, including the FCHS Mules and Frontier Bobcats.
Education has remained a passion throughout Monge’s career. She encourages young people to consider teaching and believes that “every student has talent.”
Monge said she is honored to be part of FCHS’s 100th year celebration and will share memories and highlights involving former students and faculty.
She will be joined at the banquet by Class of 1976 speaker Diana Zurliene.