NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This year's recipient of the Marion B. Kelley Teacher of the Year award is Melissa Boyer.

 

Boyer was recognized by Superintendent Barbara Malkas during an assembly at Greylock Elementary School attended by students, staff and Boyer's family and friends. She was presented with a commemorative certificate and a gift certificate for $100 for school classroom supplies.

 

This award, named in honor of the late Marion B. Kelley, a former North Adams teacher and principal, is presented to teachers in recognition of their dedicated, skillful teaching, understanding of children, and exemplification of the "ideal" teacher. Kelley taught in the North Adams school system from 1929 until 1936 when she married and had to leave because state law prohibited married women from teaching. She rejoined the school system as a teacher in 1945 and retired in 1978 as principal of Haskins and Johnson schools.

 

Boyer has been a part of the Greylock Elementary family since 1987 when she was hired as a tutor and then as a teacher assistant. In September 1994, Boyer began her career as an elementary schoolteacher and has been teaching for more than 28 years.

 

Boyer is a graduate of Drury High School's class of 1982. She earned her bachelor's degree in education from Framingham State College in December 1989 and her master's degree in education in May 1999 from Cambridge College.

 

In addition to being a classroom teacher, Boyer has held other roles within the district, including a member of the Elementary Instructional Leadership Team; an instructor in the After-School Enrichment Program; and as a Teach to Learn cooperating teacher and science teacher leader.

 

She's also known for hikes to Stoney Ledge, the fourth-grade campouts at Windsor Lake, yearly pumpkin carving projects and Magic Tree House dioramas. 

 

Boyer has touched the lives of the students who have been in her class and all who have had the pleasure of working with her. She will be retiring at the end of this school year.

 

Malkas shared these additional thoughts from a few of Boyer's colleagues:

 

"During my time teaching with Melissa, I have witnessed one of the hardest-working individuals have a dramatic effect on the lives of children. She designs lessons that are engaging and challenging for her children. And that's exactly what they are, 'Her Children.' They are never a name on a list or just one of her students — Melissa goes out of her way to make each of them feel successful, a part of the classroom community, and a learner."

 

"Missy takes the extra time to learn about both the academic and personal aspects of her students. She has conversations with them and asks them about their interests outside of school. Missy's professionalism is profound. She works together with her grade-level team to create engaging, differentiated lessons and build off each other's strengths."

 

"I've worked with her. I've seen her teach. I've seen how she cares about her students, and I see how much they admire and respect her. I see the magic that happens in her classroom. I have seen the steadfast dedication through the years, not only in the classroom, but in every event she attends. I have learned from her example."

 

"It has been an absolute pleasure working with Melissa Boyer over the years. She has a strong passion for her work and her students adore her. She has helped me grow as a teacher."

 

"Similar to Mrs. [Marion] Kelley, Ms. Boyer makes learning enjoyable for all students in a loving, caring manner. They both share the belief of educating the whole child."

 

"Her dream was to work in the same neighborhood school that her mother worked at and the one she attended along with her brothers and sisters."

 

"When I think about Melissa Boyer, I think back to my first year of teaching at Greylock School 22 years ago. During my first year as a fourth grade teacher, she served as my mentor. Not only did she offer up some great teaching strategies, but she took time to speak with me on the phone almost nightly when I had questions."