Elementary Instructor Named Manchester Teacher of the Year

She knew since kindergarten that helping others was her calling.

And now Janice Carey, a teacher at the Manchester Elementary School, has been honored for her life's passion.

Carey, a basic skills instructor, has been named Teacher of the Year for the Manchester school district. 

“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do,” Carey said on why she became a teacher. “Since kindergarten, I’ve always wanted to help people.”

Carey has been teaching for 25 years, the last 23 in Manchester. She has always taught in the elementary school level. Currently, she is working in basic skills instruction for grades three and five. She is also a Junior Impact adviser along with another teacher.

It seems as though Carey has been succeeding, and her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Dr. Frances Scudese, principal of Manchester Elementary School, said she is proud to have a teacher like Carey on her staff.

“[She] not only cares about the children, but also their family life,” Scudese said. “[Carey is] creative, caring, and most deserving of this award.”

However, it takes more than good intentions to be a good teacher. Scudese also described how Carey goes above and beyond her call of duty.

In addition to her classes, Carey is involved with the Junior Impact program at Manchester Elementary. If an emergency happens to arise concerning one of the students, Carey is right there to do whatever she can to help.

Students aren’t the only ones touched by Carey; if other teachers or  the administration need assistance, she is always there to lend an extra hand.

“She’s a fantastic teacher,” Scudese said. “Very professional, super organized, always wearing a smile – a principal’s dream.”

Carey said that she observes other teachers, adopts their positive strategies, and makes them her own.

“I’ve [been affected] by a little bit of everyone that has touched me in my life.”

Carey’s success has also been supported by the role models she has had in her own life growing up. She said that her parents and her cooperating teacher, from when she was student teaching, as mentors in her life.

“I did have a fourth grade teacher, Mr. Monaco, who would allow us, as kids, to be ourselves,” Carey said about a particular teacher who stood out to her. “One time he allowed myself and another girl to sing in front of the classroom to display our ‘talents.' And I have ‘talents’ in quotation marks,” Carey laughed.

She said that having fun is an important component in teaching.

“Humor. Always use humor – in a caring way,” she said.

When asked what she likes most about teaching, Carey said, “Just, in the general sense, knowing that a child can reach its the fullest potential and I’m able to contribute to them in that way.”

“It’s very humbling,” Janice said about winning the award. “First, to be chosen by my own peers and co-workers, and then to be recognized in the district from administrators on a whole different level – to be seen. Makes you feel great.”

The Teacher of the Year Award aims to reward excellence in teaching and is not easy to earn. Any certified staff member of the Manchester district is eligible, but it takes a lot to make it to the top.

First, a candidate needs to be nominated by someone else in his or her school to be considered. Next, the nomination goes to a panel of administrators, who have to approve the proposal. Then, it goes back to the teachers of the school to vote for the winner. 

There is another hurdle to clear to win in the district, however. To win, the name goes back to a panel of administrators, parents, and prior winners, who then choose the winner. This year, that final contestant was Carey.