Readers Say These Beverly Teachers Are Tops

BEVERLY, MA — We ask a lot of teachers, so it seems unfair that there is only one Teacher Appreciation week, celebrated during the first full week of May each year. To mark the occasion, we asked Beverly Patch readers to tell us about their favorite teachers. And what we quickly learned is that while the reading, writing and math lessons were important, the teachers whose names kept showing up on our list were the ones who taught life lessons, inspired their students or offered support through the tough times so many kids face growing up.

One of those teachers was Mr. Hewitt, the recently-retired gym teacher at Ayers Ryal Side Elementary School, according to Jenna Cordy. "He always said such wonderful things about my children in such positive pleasant emails. No matter what struggles were going on he always took the time to reach out and you could feel the warmth and genuine concern he felt for his students," Cordy said. "I'm glad I got to say goodbye to him in person. He will be missed."

Kerry Lynn couldn't pick one, and gave high marks to Mr. Ryan, an English teacher, and Mr. Butler at the Claude H. Patton Vocational school in Beverly. Both "were awesome, caring, understanding and got me," Lynn wrote. "Thanks so much guys. I never got to thank Mr Ryan, he passed away a couple of years ago and when I found out I contacted Mr Butler and thanked him for all he did."

Who were (or are) your favorite Beverly teachers? Leave your stories in the comment section.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).