What difference can a good educator make in a person’s life?

Ask Nansemond River High School Principal Thomas McLemore. Or, more to the point, ask those who have been blessed to have attended and worked at the school that has been under his direction for the past 17 years.

Ask someone like the former NRHS valedictorian who now teaches English at the high school. Or ask one of the students whose parents he taught when he was a social studies teacher. Or ask one of the faculty or staff members who think so highly of his leadership, compassion and fairness.

McLemore has earned the praise and respect he is being shown by his school and community during his last weeks on the job. Indeed, for those who have been watching Suffolk Public Schools through the years, the admiration for this high school principal is hardly a recent development.

Perhaps it has something to do with the way he makes those he leads — whether students or faculty — feel special and appreciated. Perhaps it has to do with the satisfaction he takes from seeing students and staff achieve beyond expectations.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Nansemond River High School will miss this leader, who has made such a mark on so many people.

We join the school community in wishing McLemore the very best in his retirement.