Snow Hill - Greene County Middle School has announced that Judy Cleary, 8th Grade Science Teacher and Grade Level Chair is this year's Teacher of the Year. Cleary was chosen by a vote of their peers. Cleary has served GCMS in two different spans of time most recently rejoining the school staff in 2021. 

Cleary was a graduate of East Carolina University earning her bachelors in Middle School Science and English. She has served GCMS for a total of 7 years. She vividly remembers her first time at GCMS prior to and including the tornado in 2011 that destroyed the school in April of that year. 

Cleary shared that what she loves the most about her job is “ it is different every day and interacting with kids.  I can be creative and help students see that learning is always a process.” Her greatest memories are the experiences of overcoming some amazing obstacles. She shared “ have taught through the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, the tornadoes that destroyed GCMS, and of course, COVID.  Those events were a minefield of managing the practical and trying to meet the needs of our students on a multitude of levels.”  

Cleary went on to share that as she approached the end of her career her ultimate goal is to help new teachers understand how to preserve drawing on those experiences and her day-to-day interactions with students. 

Phil Cook, Principal at GCMS shared that “ Ms. Cleary is a respected leader among her peers, playing a crucial role in coordinating and motivating the 8th-grade team. As a teacher, she actively engages her students in science content, igniting their curiosity and fostering a love for learning. GCMS appreciates Ms. Cleary and all of her contributions; whether she's instructing her students, motivating her RAM time groups with incentives, or ensuring the smooth transitions of the school halls, her dedication shines through.”

When not at school Cleary can be found on the water in her kayak or in her recent love of learning to mold and shape clay on and off the wheel. Cleary is the proud mom of 3 daughters and has 7 grandchildren and 2 cats. 

Cleary goes on to compete for the title of Greene County Teacher of the Year which will be announced in May.