Topsail Middle School mourns the loss of a beloved teacher whose more than two decades of service shaped countless lives and left an indelible mark on her community – a legacy of dedication that speaks for itself.
“She helped build the culture of the school that is here today,” said Dr. Alan McNaughton, principal of Topsail Middle School, on sixth grade science teacher Heather Fennell. “I think she helped paint the picture of what people are looking for in a school.”
McNaughton said students and teachers in the Topsail Middle School community have been grieving her loss since the announcement of Fennell’s passing.
On December 5, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) identified Fennell, 46, as the deceased in a death investigation initiated a day earlier at 667 Saw Grass Road in Hampstead. Pender County property records list Fennell and Scott A. Lawson as co-owners of the Hampstead residence since 2015.
The Topsail community is mourning the loss of Heather Fennell, a former sixth grade teacher at Topsail Middle School. Fennell’s death is being investigated by the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior coverage: Pender teacher identified as victim in death investigation; SBI is assisting
“We have quite a few students who are definitely feeling (the loss),” McNaughton said. “All of our students…process their grief a little differently.”
Fennell dedicated herself to the Topsail Middle School community and its students, who have now come together to honor her memory during this time of grief.
“We had students come to us today looking for ways to honor her and some of the things she did, and I think that speaks to the influence she had on them,” said McNaughton, adding that just a few hours earlier a Student had proposed a memorial billboard across from her former classroom, where students and staff can write messages in honor of Fennell.
As a teacher, Fennell fostered a “culture of collaboration” not only among students, but also among teachers, McNaughton said — something he believes will continue because of her lasting impact on the school.
Fennell didn’t just teach; she empowered her students and pushed them to do the best work they could.
“It was very clear that she was passionate,” said McNaughton. “She loved being in the classroom and working with students. She went above and beyond to make sure they felt supported and that they got what they needed.”
The longtime teacher was an active and outspoken advocate, committed to providing students with the best opportunities for success.
On Friday morning, as part of its daily student news, Topsail Middle School honored Fennell with a photo and held a moment of silence.
“I think it’s given students an opportunity to really start to process what that grief looks like,” McNaughton said. “We have fifth graders on campus, … they can’t identify the sadness in themselves, but they know they feel differently … and so give them that opportunity to work through these strong emotions.”
Topsail Middle School is mourning the loss of sixth-grade chemistry teacher Heather Fennell, who helped shape the school’s culture. Fennell’s death is being investigated by the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Topsail Middle School has provided counseling to students and teachers, bringing in additional advisors from other schools and partnering with Coastal Horizons and other support resources.
The school has “definitely felt a lot of support from the district and from the community,” McNaughton said.
As parents, students and teachers mourn the loss of Fennell, McNaughton said he wants the community to know help is available, and that they are here to support each other.
“She was a great teacher, and the kids loved her,” McNaughton said. “She will certainly be missed.”
As of December 6, few details are known about the Saw Grass Road investigation. Working with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, the SBI confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be conducted soon.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: School mourns loss of Hampstead, N.C., teacher amid SBI investigation
