For 29 years, FUHS counselor David McIntosh has helped students navigate class schedules, college applications and mental health issues. But what makes Mr. McIntosh a standout counselor is his understanding that when a student’s family struggles financially, the student will struggle academically. Therefore, he has made it a top priority to connect with community organizations that can help students. But he’s much more than a liaison. Mr. McIntosh’s compassion compels him to help others.
Counselor Erin Defries has frequently witnessed McIntosh’s generosity. She told the Tribe Tribune about one Christmas when a local charity wanted to donate a Christmas tree to a family in need. Defries says that McIntosh was wise enough to understand that giving a struggling family a free Christmas tree might actually be a burden.
She remembers calling the family: “So the mom was, like, ‘We just moved in. We don’t have anything. We’re sleeping on an air mattress’,” said Defries, who then went shopping with McIntosh to buy a stand and ornaments for the tree. But while they were out, Defries saw that McIntosh also bought necessities for the family.
“Our trip to pick up the tree, a tree stand and some ornaments turned into Mr. McIntosh buying another air mattress, sleeping bags, a cooktop, a set of pans, towels and sheets. He bought everything,” she said. Instead of just dropping off the supplies, McIntosh visited with the family and helped set up everything they needed.
For his compassion and leadership, especially within the AP/IB program, McIntosh was voted Certificated Employee of the Year, an honor that’s perhaps even sweeter as McIntosh plans to retire this week after working at Fullerton for 29 years.
Although McIntosh is an expert at helping students explore their career options, he admits that he struggled to find his own. When he was a freshman at UC San Diego, McIntosh originally majored in biology then switched to political science.
“I went to see the counselor at UC San Diego to turn things around,” he said. “He was very encouraging and helped me figure out things. He said, ‘You know, if you couldn’t do it, you wouldn’t be here,’ and it made me think I could be successful.”
That positive encounter with a counselor stuck with McIntosh enough that he would go on to earn his Master’s in Counseling at Cal State Fullerton. On top of intense coursework, he took internships at elementary schools, and eventually one at Fullerton High School. After briefly teaching eighth grade science at Nicolas Middle School, he found his way back to Fullerton High School and stayed for the next 29 years.
Students say they will remember how McIntosh was always willing to find time to help them. Hannah Cheon said going into her senior year she had the opportunity to sign up for Harvard pre-college, but the deadline was the following day. She said McIntosh pulled together the letters of recommendation and transcripts she needed at the last minute.
Defries also recalls a time when a student couldn’t afford her UC applications with the deadline only a few days away. She sent out a distress-call email to teachers asking for donations, but then “McIntosh just walks in and hands me a hundred dollars,” Defries said. “Like, here, take it.”
As for McIntosh’s plans after Fullerton, he said that he wants to travel with his wife, and most importantly he wants to continue and grow his passion for serving others by continuing to do volunteer work around Fullerton.
This isn’t surprising at all considering what Fullerton means to McIntosh. Defries said it best herself.
“When I hear McIntosh, what do I think of? I think of Fullerton. He went to school here. His kids went here. His wife went here. His parents and his wife’s parents went here. He cares about his students, he cares about the staff. He goes above and beyond in every aspect. He’s like the dad of Fullerton High School.”
