By Andrea Spears and Saisha Johnson

“Farewell” is what the students and staff will say to English teacher Robert MacFarland and Assistant Principal Columbus Moore when they retire at the end of this school year.

It has been quite a long road for MacFarland, who has taught at Southfield Public Schools since 1973. He has now come to the conclusion that he should retire. “I felt that it was my time to go,” he said. He has taught and inspired thousands of students over the course of his 39-year career.

MacFarland is known by the majority of his students as a cool, fun-loving teacher who cares about all of his students and has all the answers.

Senior Antonio Echols is a former student of MacFarland’s, and says he was one of his favorite teachers. “He’s real, and he helps you understand your work when you don’t get it,” says Echols.

MacFarland says it has taken patience and passion to stay dedicated to a school and its students, especially because teaching wasn’t his original intention. “Originally, I planned to be a writer; teaching was supposed to be temporary,” says MacFarland, “but I had a passion for educating students.”

From his teaching career, MacFarland says he has gained experience and much wisdom.

Another beloved staff member of Southfield High School, Columbus Moore, the assistant principal for the class of 2013, is retiring.

Before working at Southfield High, Moore was the head football coach at Southfield-Lathrup, Detroit Redford, Detroit Renaissance, and a few other high schools. “It was the most enjoyable experience,” says Moore, of his time as a coach.

Moore has also taught Health, Physical Education, and Business Principles at Southfield-Lathrup. He has worked in a total of three school districts: Southfield, Detroit and Ann Arbor.

“Mr. Moore will be missed by many students, especially the juniors,” says junior Jasmine Simpson.

Eleventh grader Patricia Forbes says, “He cares about the students and has a good attitude about things.”

Fellow Junior A’Lexus Hill says that he makes sure the needs of all the students are met, and for that he will be missed.

Both Moore and MacFarland have planned out their new lives. MacFarland says his plans after retirement include “sleeping in, traveling with my wife, and doing some charity work.” To stay productive, he says he will spend his free time fishing, gardening and enjoying the great outdoors. But perhaps this year isn’t the last time you’ll see him; He says he may get a job substitute teaching.

When it comes to Moore’s plans for retirement, Moore simply says, “to do as little as possible, ride around in my convertible car and enjoy the weather.”