New Art Teacher Thrilled to Share Her Sailor Pride

Originally hired as an English teacher at Scituate High School in 2003, Jessica Maguire worked at SHS for ten years before leaving to pursue her interest in art and design. Maguire returned to SHS this year as a member of the art department, and she is thrilled to be sharing her love for photography with other creative minds.

Maguire started her teaching career at Quincy Middle School, where she taught reading for one year. She then joined the staff at Scituate High and eventually worked at Weymouth High School for two years teaching art. Maguire said she has “always loved art and was always jealous of what the art teachers were doing.” Maguire knew if she was going to go back to teaching, she wanted to switch it up this time.

Maguire originally attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on a basketball scholarship and majored in English. During her time there, she also took many fine arts courses, which helped develop her love for the arts. Currently, Maguire is pursuing her master’s degree in visual arts with three classes to go. Maguire explained, “I am in an online graduate program through the Art of Education University. I put it on pause when I was hired in August to get myself settled here and plan on picking back up after the new year. I have one more elective, one more core course, and a six-credit capstone project.” Hoping to finish her graduate program by next fall, Maguire commented, “It’s been a juggle with full-time teaching and four kids, but the program is awesome, and I use so much of what I have learned in the program in my classroom.”

Being back at Scituate High is very exciting for Maguire, as Scituate is home for her. She grew up here and graduated from SHS in 1997. Maguire recognizes that she’s come full circle and greatly connects with the SPS slogan: “Our home away from home.” Maguire maintains many of her old friendships with people who worked here years ago. She is also excited to build new connections with staff and students alike. 

Even though Scituate has been a very welcoming place for her, Maguire has one special person who is always ready to help her whenever she needs anything: her husband, Stephen Maguire, is a science teacher at SHS. The Maguires have four children. Their oldest attends 6th grade at Gates Middle School, and their other children are in 4th, 3rd, and 2nd grade. Although the school is very different than when she initially taught here, Maguire said her husband is “such a great resource when [she] needs help throughout the day.” Sometimes, their lunch blocks even lineup, allowing them to enjoy some time together.