OGDENSBURG — The 2024-25 school year marks a tremendous milestone for a teacher at JFK Elementary.
AIS mathematics teacher and Ogdensburg native Judy Green is currently in her 57th year of teaching!
“People ask me, ‘When are you going to retire?’ and I say, ‘When the good lord has something different for me to do.’” Mrs. Green says. “Being an ally for these children. To talk to them and be their friend. They need someone to listen to them and if I can fulfill that role right now… that’s where I need to be.”
After graduating from Morristown Central, Mrs. Green began to pursue a career in nursing, but quickly realized her calling was elsewhere because what she really enjoyed was helping her fellow nursing students at night with assignments.
Mrs. Green began her teaching career in 1968 at the Sherman School, where she taught for three years. In 1971 she moved to John F. Kennedy Elementary. She taught 4th grade for 2 years. She took a leave of absence to raise her children, but substituted for 3 years. She returned to full time in 1976 where she was a classroom teacher for 37 years, before becoming an AIS mathematics teacher in 2007. In addition to teaching at JFK Elementary, Mrs. Green also teaches church school in Morristown.
“Mrs. Green has been a part of JFK in every phase I have experienced with the building,” said Ogdensburg UPK-2 Principal Christina Frank. “From being my fifth grade social studies teacher, to inviting me to correspond with her social studies students during my college semester abroad, to working on mathematics with my own children during the time I returned to the building as principal. She is literally evergreen!”
How has teaching changed?
From her perspective, Mrs. Green says that the teaching experience has stayed mostly the same throughout the years, however the methods used to help students improve academically have changed significantly.
“I do appreciate the new philosophy of having students think more critically rather than just memorizing what you are saying. Using social interactions and activities to empower students to understand how to solve problems has shown to be beneficial,” says Mrs. Green.
While teaching grades 3-6 AIS math, she is able to better prepare individual students and improve their areas of weakness on a grade-to-grade basis. She uses manipulatives, or games and other non-conventional activities, to help students struggling with applying math to scenarios to help them better understand problem solving.
“Judy consistently exceeds expectations every year I've worked with her. AIS math is her niche.” says Ogdensburg Grade 3-6 Principal Sue Ellen Bouchard.
Building Relationships and Memories
When recollecting memorable moments throughout her career, Mrs. Green recalls a story when she taught at Sherman in 1969. When the students lined up for attendance, a little boy greeted her saying, “Mrs. Green! Mrs. Green! I got something for you!”
When they got into the classroom, the little boy opened his jacket to reveal a bat, which he released and allowed to fly around the classroom. Students were both cheering and screaming until the bat found a cozy spot in the corner of the room, patiently waiting for the lesson to be over. In the end, the bat was rescued safely and returned to the wild.
In recalling the years of teaching with Mr. Sargent, Mr. Howard, and Mrs. Krause, where, as a team, they created ways to engage the students. They would brainstorm ideas for in-class activities and how to celebrate holidays. They would dress up and visit each other’s classes to help make those holidays memorable for the students.
Even as far away as Darien Lake in Rochester, children and OCSD alumni of all ages recognize and greet Mrs. Green.
“I would have many students come up to me and thank me for being there for them.” They often say “You were firm, but you always cared. Or I would hear about what they are doing currently in their lives and the achievements they made. If I was part of their lives for just a moment, that's great.” Mrs. Green says. “You learn very early on in teaching that if you go into work with enthusiasm and an eagerness to teach, you’re going to help them .”