Meet a Teacher: Tracy Haley

Welcome to Meet a Teacher, a new column that features a teacher that teaches here in North Andover.

Today we feature Tracy Haley, a teacher at Franklin Elementary School.

Patch: Where do you teach and how long have you taught there?

Tracy: For the last six years, I have been a Special Education Teacher at the . 

Patch: Briefly describe your education and past experience.

Tracy: I have an Associates Degree in Sign Language Interpreting from Northern Essex Community College. After a few years working in a group home in Deaf Services, I decided I wanted to go back to my original desire to be a teacher.  I found a program at Trinity College of Vermont where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education.  Three years ago, I completed my Master’s in Special Education through Endicott College. Prior to working in North Andover, I was a Special Education teacher in Methuen and before going to Vermont for school, I worked for 2 years as a Sign Language Interpreter at the Arlington School in Lawrence.

I hope to further my education when my daughter is a little older by seeking an Educational Leadership Doctorate so in the future, when I decide to retire from teaching, I can continue to share my experience and knowledge with others who want to work in the field of Special Education.

Patch: What is the best part about teaching in North Andover?

Tracy: There are so many reasons I love working in the North Andover School system! I have the pleasure of working with a great group of peers. The parents that I work with are wonderful as well and it is a great feeling to have them really trust you with their child and know that you will do everything you can to educate them. And then there are the inspiring students I work with every day. They are the reason I get up and go to school and do what I love to do. Every single one of them is important to me and I feel so lucky to play a role in their daily education!

Patch: Are there any certain teaching strategies or procedures you like to employ in the classroom?

Tracy: Although I do not have a classroom, I run small groups where I help students ensure their understanding of daily concepts they are learning. I assist them with Math, Reading and Writing, depending on the day.  No matter what the subject is, having kids work in groups, share their ideas and the open environment to speak their thoughts is a strategy I truly believe in. I enjoy having discussions with students to see where their head is at and how they understood something they have read or something they have to respond to. It is fascinating to see the different ideas that come out and watch other students nod their heads in agreement or say “Wow, I never thought of it that way”.  

Patch: What inspired you to become a teacher?

Tracy: I would say my aunt would be the person who inspired me to become a teacher. She is a retired Special Education Director from Lowell and always told me that I was good with the kids and would be an excellent teacher. As I got older, listening to her stories about working with students who needed a little extra help to get them through really inspired me. To this day I talk to my aunt about where I will go in my future as an educator and always ask her for guidance. My current inspirations would be my students. Little things happen daily in school that let’s me know I am right where I am suppose to be. I think my favorite thing to be asked is “When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?" My answer is simple… I already am what I want to be and I don’t think many people can say that!

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Do you know any North Andover teachers deserving of recognition? If so, leave a comment or send an email to jay@jayoza.org.