Spotlight on Joanne Cleary – January 2016

Spotlight on Joanne Cleary
Posted on 01/22/2016
joanneOur Amazing Math Coach!

Come to Math Morning on January 28th and meet Joanne in person!

What roads led you to the Tobin Montessori School?
I grew up in Peabody on the Northshore, went to Salem State College, met my future husband there, whose grandparents owned a two family house near Harvard Square. Of course, we visited them and Harvard Square quite often during our courtship. After graduation, we married and moved into the grandparents small rental apartment. With my Elementary Education teaching degree in hand, I applied to the Cambridge Public Schools. I began my Cambridge teaching career first as a long term substitute at the Fletcher/Maynard location, then the Roberts School. The following year I was appointed as a fourth grade classroom teacher at Webster School, now the location of the Amigos School. Three years later a position at John M. Tobin's alternative multi-graded Magnet Program became available and being very interested in multi-age classrooms, I jumped on that opportunity. I've followed the path of alternative programs at Tobin as a teacher with experiences in grades JK through 6. When the Tobin Public Montessori School was created, I naturally jumped on the opportunity to become a part of this exciting new endeavor, first as a Title I Math Interventionist and now as a Math Coach.

When school is closed because of a snow storm, what do you like to do?
I enjoy sitting by the fire reading, sipping hot tea, and relaxing. All this, of course, after dealing with shoveling the driveway, and sidewalks around my house and figuring out where to put all the accumulated snow.

Who would you like to play you in a movie?
Meryl Streep would be my pick to play me in a movie. She has played so many roles in her long brilliant career and seems to fit into every one like a chameleon.

Which do you prefer: ocean or lake?
That's a tough one, for me. I spent many summers in my childhood at a lake cottage in Maine. I loved that fresh pine smell of the surrounding forests, and the unsurpassed evening tranquility of the lake after a day's activities of swimming, waterskiing and sailing. My husband introduced me to Cape Cod's gorgeous swimming and off-road beaches, and Nantucket Sound fishing. Ever since, that's where my preference lies.

Favorite sports teams?
Boston sports fan all the way, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots! Go Pats!!!

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, and herbal tea at night.

Favorite flavor ice cream?
Currently it's Brigham's Peppermint Stick, which is especially decadent with hot fudge topping.
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