Mary
G.
Porter
began
her
career
as
a
first
grade
teacher
at
Cabin
Branch,
a
three-room
elementary
school
in
Dumfries,
after
receiving
a
Bachelor
of
Arts
and
a
Master
of
Arts
from
Virginia
State
University.
From
1950
to
1965
she
taught
at
Washington-Reid
Elementary
School.
In
1966
Mary
G.
Porter
was
selected
to
be
one
of
four
black
teachers
to
pilot
the
desegregation
program
at
Dumfries
Elementary
School.
Her
friends
say
that
she
had
a
good
rapport
with
students,
parents,
and
fellow
workers
and
treated
all
with
love
and
respect
regardless
of
their
race,
creed,
or
color.
"Her
innate
leadership
transcended
the
racial
stereotypes
that
were
prevalent
during
that
time,"
say
friends.
Mary
G.
Porter
retired
from
Dumfries
in
1981.
Throughout
her
teaching
career
Mary
G.
Porter
believed
in
the
philosophy
that
'all
children
can
learn'
long
before
it
became
a
'buzz
word'
from
the
state,
say
those
who
knew
her.
Mary
G.
Porter
wrote
and
directed
school
plays
and
musical
productions
to
help
boost
children's
confidence
and
self-esteem
through
drama.
She
crafted
learning
blocks,
cards,
and
other
visual
aids
to
reach
the
students
who
learn
in
different
ways.
Devoted
to
a
lifetime
of
educating
children,
during
her
retirement,
Mary
G.
Porter
was
an
active
tutor
for
her
church
and
local
organizations.
She
also
financially
supported
students'
desire
for
higher
education.
Considered
a
role
model
for
her
students,
both
Mary
G.
Porter's
daughters
became
teachers
for
Prince
William
County,
and
now
her
grandson
teaches
for
the
school
division.
We
are
honored
to
have
our
school
named
after
such
a
caring
and
driven
individual
as
Mary
G.
Porter.
