Alice McGlynn Selected as Teacher of the Year at MTES

Along with each of the schools in the Manchester Township School District, has selected its “Teacher of the Year” for the 2011-2012 academic year: art instructor Alice McGlynn.

“I’m beyond excited and elated, it’s a wonderful honor,” said McGlynn, who is a 13-year veteran of the classroom. Nine of those years were spent in Manchester's district.

“I love every grade,” she said.

McGlynn said that art instruction in kindergarten began with simpler subjects, such as shapes, and by fifth grade, the students were beginning to acquire advanced art techniques.

“Some are as talented as college students by grade five,” she said.

McGlynn also described an artist reception event recently held at the which attracted a “most phenomenal turnout of 700 people in 90 minutes”, according to the instructor. Over 250 of the student artists were there, and 300 pieces of art were proudly displayed in the library exhibition.

“It was something I’ve never experienced before,” McGlynn added.

The art instructor also felt the connection between herself and her professional colleagues.

“We’re always supporting each other’s work. Coming up, we have a Fun Fair that all of us are working, and I’ll have a painting booth set up,” McGlynn said.

In her spare time away from teaching, McGlynn is involved with decorative painting, mural painting and home renderings.

“Art is my passion,” she said. 

Elementary School Principal Offers Comments

MTES Principal Marjorie Stevens was equally thrilled at the district’s selection of McGlynn for the school’s “Teacher of the Year”.

“Alice McGlynn is an amazing artist in her own right who motivates students to do exceptional work,” Stevens said.

Stevens, in her first year as principal at MTES after transfering from Whiting Elementary, called McGlynn a talented individual whose guidance to her students’ work led to a standing-room only crowd viewing their art projects during the aforementioned reception at Manchester’s library.

Stevens also noted that McGlynn was selected for the “Teacher of the Year” honor by a Board of Education-sponsored committee, which included PTA members and her peers, including last year’s award winner, basic skills instructor Janice Carey.

Both Stevens and Carey called McGlynn to congratulate her upon her selection for the award.

“I was shocked, happy and elated,” McGlynn said.

Committee Chair Explains Selection Process

The Manchester Township School District's Committee Chairman, Kevin Berger, explained that representatives from school administration, teachers, parents and PTA members helped to comprise the committee.

"We may receive nominations from anyone in the district: students, parents, teachers, administrators. All we ask is that they also provide in writing why their nominee should be selected as 'Teacher of the Year'," said Berger.

Berger than said those nominations are collected and examined by the committee and Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway, seeking to narrow the field to the "most exemplary" teachers, or "the top of the top," as Berger said.

"At that point, we ask those teachers selected to fill out a nominee profile, describing their background, education, experiences in the classroom, professional development, plus committees or volunteer work they may have participated in," said Berger.

Those profiles are then attached to a ballot used to determine the final voting at each school, Berger explained. "The teachers at each school then cast their final votes for 'Teacher of the Year'," he said, so that the choices would come directly from their peers and colleagues.

"I was thrilled with all the nominees. They were all outstanding, and I was particularly happy with those who were recognized. They all make a difference inside the classroom every day," Berger noted.

McGlynn will be formally recognized, along with the award-winning instructors from each of the Manchester district’s other schools, at the May meeting of the Manchester Township Board of Education. Berger remarked that is normally the most well-attended meeting of the school year.