Honking buses loaded with screaming children waving goodbye – that’s the sendoff one local educator got on his last day at school.
After decades spent in public schools, Dr. Octavius Mulligan is retiring to become the Dean of Piedmont University’s College of Education. On May 26, the beloved principal at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School in White County livestreamed his last day on bus and car duty.
“Well, after ‘X’ amount of years, this is my last, ‘Let the buses roll,’ and I’m going to miss these boys and girls like crazy,” he said.
It was an emotional ending to an unlikely career.
Passing it on
As a young boy growing up in New York, Mulligan, by his own admission, was not a good student. He skipped class – a lot – and fell behind in his studies. None of his teachers seemed to care. That is, until Ms. Feluchi.
Feluchi was his sixth-grade teacher. The young Octavius saw how she cared for him and his classmates. It was then that he realized the impact teachers could have. In an interview with Now Habersham last year, Mulligan said he knew then, as a sixth-grader, “that’s how every student should feel at school.”
Things finally started turning around for Mulligan when he moved to Thomson, Georgia. There, he excelled in academics and sports and earned an athletic scholarship to Piedmont College. He played basketball at Piedmont and found his passion for teaching.
Remembering how it felt to have a caring teacher, Mulligan knew he wanted to pass that feeling along.
And he did.
During his career in the classroom and, later, the front office, Mulligan’s love for his job and his students was evident. High-fiving, fist-bumping, and hugging kids in the hallways, he made sure his students knew that he cared.
Lasting impact
Through the years, students in Hall, Habersham, and White counties have benefited from Mulligan’s compassion and kindness and from the lessons he taught them. Some have gone on to become educators themselves. The lasting impression Mulligan made on their lives is conveyed in the comments they shared on his last day.
“A legend!” Zach Hurley wrote watching the live stream. “You are one of the individuals that shaped my teaching career. Thank you!”
“Coach, you have made a tremendous impact on many lives in this region, including mine. You mean a lot to many families. Your energy, enthusiasm, [and] guidance will be missed,” wrote Dario Hanic.
JJ Evans extended his congratulations, calling Mulligan “one of my favorite teachers in my life!”
Parents, too, commented about how much they’ll miss Mulligan at TGAP, the school where he’s spent the last seven years.
“Thank you, sir, for your love and service to our children! You are one in a million!” said Kimberly Smith.
Kim Lambert said her kids “are really going to miss you, and so is this mama right here!” She added, “Drop-off line won’t be the same!”
No mic drop
As the last of the honking buses pulled out of Tesnatee Gap’s parking lot Friday, Mulligan choked back his tears.
“That’s a wrap, folks,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “I love these boys and girls, and I’m going to miss them.”
He added, “Daily, it’s what I’ve done for thirty-plus years. I’m not going to drop the mic right now ’cause that’s not me; I’ll just hold the mic, but I’m going to sign off for now.”
He ended his live stream and public education career with two simple words that made all the difference to so many.
“Love you.”
