Upon graduation in 1953, he joined the Army and was assigned to Special Services in Europe where he served his country and continued playing baseball. Tom loved teaching, so upon his discharge from the Army in 1956, he returned to Concord College and earned a B.S. Degree in Education.  He also met his future wife, Zel Stafford, who was majoring in Music Education. 

 

After Zel and Tom were married, they came to Fairfax County Public Schools in 1958 where Tom began teaching at Masonville Elementary School.  He was an assistant coach in baseball and basketball at Annandale High School in 1959 and joined the faculty at Annandale in 1960.  During his time in Fairfax County, Tom earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the American University.  In 1967-70, Tom was the head baseball coach at Annandale High School.  In 1970-71, he was Assistant Principal at West Springfield High School and was Director of Student Activities at Oakton High School from 1971-1979.  In 1979, Tom returned to his true love of teaching young people at James W. Robinson Secondary School.  In 1984, Tom was named Director of Student Activities at Robinson Secondary School and served until his retirement, December 1988. 

 

Tom loved his family, young people, and baseball, and had a great sense of humor.  Tom and Zel moved to Florida in 1992.  Tom passed away from melanoma cancer in December 1995.  The Tom Porter Family and friends are pleased to offer this NVADACA Scholarship.