Readers Say These North Andover Teachers Are Tops

NORTH ANDOVER, 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 North Andover 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.

Kate Grant at St. Michael's School in North Andover helped Krystal Trainor's daughter build self confidence by offering little compliments and constant reassurance. Two years after her daughter left Mrs. Grant's class, the teacher still checks in on her, Trainor said.

"Mrs. Grant has always gone above and beyond what is expected of a teacher inside and outside the classroom," Trainor said. "She is a rock for children in the classroom, always offering extra help beyond her regular hours and the kids love her...She never hesitates to come over to past and current students for a friendly hello and over the years her kindness has not gone unnoticed!

Susan Flaherty gave good grades to Julianne Shorrock Irving at North Andover Middle School "I can not say enough positive things about her. She was such a positive influence on both my children and got them to appreciate math and the hard work teachers put in," Flaherty said.

Who were (or are) your favorite Tewksbury 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).