Drury High's Myers Named North Adams Teacher of the Year

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury High school year culminated on June 7 with an end-of-the-semester showcase, the presentation awards and the naming of this year's Marion B. Kelley Teacher of the Year.

 

Donna Myers, sitting in the front row of the auditorium, was shocked when her named was called to applause and cheers.

 

Superintendent Barbara Malkas described her as the epitome of the Teacher of the Year award, named for the principal of the former Sarah Haskins and Johnson schools who worked in the public schools for a total of 40 years (with a nine-year gap when forced to leave her teaching job when she got married).

 

"She excels at building relationships with all of her students, many return year after year to visit her and check in. She also acts flabbergasted as to why not realizing the impact she has had on the community at Drury High School," said Malkas. "When she's not in her classroom. She is in the stands at most basketball games, chaperoning dances, even getting out on the dance floor. Getting involved in lip dub or other community-centered events."

 

The Pittsfield High School graduate attended Berkshire Community College and received her bachelor of arts in history degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (then North Adams State) in 1996. She began as a student teacher under history teacher Bonnie Rennell, was a substitute and then joined the history department in 1998, and later became its leader. She would mentor future educators, including Principal Stephanie Kopala, and earn her master's in education in 2000 from Cambridge College.

 

Myers had put her plans for retirement on hold when project-based learning courses were introduced and immediately began planning new courses to engage students and now has all of her courses completely booked for next year, said the superintendent. She's sought out for advice by students and staff and always quick to offer help.

 

The yearbook was dedicated to Myers two years ago, with then junior Rachel Barrows saying, "she never fails to inspire us to do our greatest at everything we do. She's a person you can always count on for a good laugh but at the same time, she always keeps everyone in line."