This week, we celebrate the end of an era at Farmington Municipal Schools and Farmington High School.
Mr. Gerald Bonds—the longest-serving teacher in the state of New Mexico—is retiring after an extraordinary 63 years of dedicated service. Since beginning his teaching journey in 1962, Mr. Bonds has witnessed profound changes in education and has guided generations of families through his classroom.
From the very first day he stepped into a classroom, Mr. Bonds brought not only a deep knowledge of botany, horticulture, agriculture, and biology but also a profound respect for the land and the people who work it. He established Farmington High’s first greenhouse, where he taught with his hands, his heart, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.
In recent years, Mr. Bonds became a cornerstone of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program—the premier youth organization shaping the next generation of agricultural and agribusiness leaders. Through his mentorship, countless students have learned to lead, to grow, and to give back.
Happy retirement, Mr. Bonds. You’ve sown the seeds of knowledge and harvested a lifetime of impact. We are forever grateful.
In 2021, Mr. Bonds, his family, and the FHS staff witnessed him signing his 60th teaching contract.
In 2023, Mr. Bonds was inducted into the New Mexico Agriculture Teacher Hall of Fame.
Photos from the FHS library.