For the past ten and a half years, Mrs. Teresa Gaither has been the bookkeeper at THS. Her daily routine includes paying bills for the school, taking in and depositing money for teachers, writing checks, and making sure the school’s finances run smoothly.

“I have a very busy job and I’m never finished. It’s a lot to keep up with. There are a lot of bills,” said Gaither.

Gaither is responsible for keeping up with the finances for the entire school. She makes sure the DJ for prom is paid, graduation is right, and she even does tasks like ordering garbage bags.

“I’m more of a behind the scenes staff member,” said Gaither.

Gaither is also a THS alumni, graduating with the class of 1977, which recently celebrated their 40 year class reunion.

“I never thought I would be working at the school I graduated from,” said Gaither.

After graduating from THS, Gaither attended the National Business College for two years in Danville. Gaither also worked for the Adelphia cable company, or better known now as Comcast, before coming to Tunstall.

When not writing checks and paying bills, Gaither has a very busy life outside of work.

She is an active member of the Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church in Danville.

Gaither is also a grandmother to two grandsons, one of which is a current THS student.

“It’s nice to have Donovan here at school with me. I like to keep an eye on him,” she said.

Gaither is also a twenty year breast cancer survivor.

“When I was diagnosed, I was completely devastated. I told myself that if I’m going to get through this, I had to have a positive attitude.”

Her optimistic outlook served her well during that difficult season of life and it benefits her even today.

“I always tell myself that I’m ‘too blessed to be stressed.'”