News
April 18, 2019Capital Region BOCES Teacher Earns Teacher of the Year Honors from State Association
She once taught future military leaders at the United States Naval Academy, but now Joanne Clegg, Ph.D. is focusing on helping adults who return to high school, as well as current high school students, understand how science impacts their everyday life and future careers.
For that effort, the longtime educator will receive a Teacher of the Year award from the New York Association for Continuing and Community Education (NYACCE) during its conference April 30 at the Albany Marriott. NYACCE represents agencies and adult education programs throughout New York State that are committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for adults.
“Dr. Clegg is seen as a constant, unwavering source of hope to her students,” NYACCE officials said in announcing her award.
When asked about the honor, Clegg was humble.
“In truth, I just see myself as sharing a gift I am lucky enough to have. I love teaching and learning. In my jobs here at Capital Region BOCES, I am lucky enough to be able to do both, learning a bit of the trades where I teach Integrated Science,” she said.
Clegg has taught for more than a dozen years at Capital Region BOCES, joining the adult education program nearly six years ago. By day, she teaches Integrated Science to high school students in programs ranging from nursing to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) and by night she “shines as a High School Equivalency (HSE) heroine who tirelessly teaches adult learners who are trying to improve their education through Capital Region BOCES’ HSE program,” said Tarin Bready, vocational case manager for the adult education program. HSE is the high school equivalency program that serves hundreds of adults in the greater Capital Region.
Prior to joining BOCES, Clegg spent a decade in biomedical research, five years as an assistant professor of chemistry at the U.S. Naval Academy and five years as a science teacher at St. Anne Institute.
Clegg said she enjoys teaching new concepts and making science understandable to everyone.
“What I enjoy most is seeing that moment when the student realizes that ‘Yes! I can learn science and it makes sense.’ Also seeing students realize that learning is a needed life skill that will continue throughout their lives,” Clegg said.
She added that it was her lifelong goal to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a teacher.
Becoming a teacher was a dream since childhood, but only became a reality after she left the Navy in 1997.
“I firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to learn. It is the teacher’s job to find the key that unlocks the door and turn on the light,” Clegg said.
In nominating her for the award, Adult Education Program Manager Maria Huntington said that, “as an employee of two educational programs, Dr. Clegg has a unique perspective on school-age and adult learners that she incorporates into her classrooms. She takes professional development, technology, and student support very seriously. Regardless of which classroom she’s in, Dr. Clegg is compassionate, caring, and dedicated to making her students succeed in their educational and career pathways.”
Clegg lives in Ballston Spa with her husband Michael. They have two adult children – Darbie, 24, and Rebecca, 22.
Dr. Valerie Kelsey, deputy director of Career and Technical Education for Capital Region BOCES, said Clegg is extremely dedicated to the success of her students.
“Joanne is a wonderful teacher. She has very successful test and graduation rates. Joanne epitomizes what it means to nurture and foster student growth,” Kelsey said.
