By Christopher Tranberg
The Granby Public Schools proudly recognized Joy Cloukey as the 2017–18 Teacher of the Year at the district’s closing ceremonies on June 19. In celebration of Joy’s achievements and contributions to the students of Granby, she was joined on stage by her husband Ryan, children Owen and Tessa, as well as her parents. Joy is currently a fourth grade teacher at Wells Road Intermediate School who takes a “kids first” approach to her work. Since graduating from Marist College, Joy has been a dedicated member of the Granby schools. Joy is celebrating completion of her fifteenth year at Wells Road Intermediate School where she changes lives on a daily basis.
Joy is known among her colleagues as a quiet leader who works behind the scenes to make Wells Road a wonderful community to learn and grow. She is described as a flexible team player who is always willing to share, and goes above and beyond in all aspects of her work. Joy is a great listener, thoughtful collaborator and a forward thinker.
It is no secret that Joy has a love and passion for reading. She collaboratively worked to bring One Book, One School, to Wells Road, an initiative that builds community and literacy by focusing a school on one common piece of literature. This initiative exemplifies Joy’s passion for reading and her desire to instill a similar love with her students and colleagues.
This school year, literature took Mrs. Cloukey’s class on a special journey as they read Pax by Sara Pennypacker. This incredibly beautiful story came to life in her classroom as students explored themes of loyalty, peace and friendship. There is no question that Joy resonates with Pennypacker’s message when the author writes “I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing. That is peace.”
Personally, Joy is incredibly close with her family and relaxes with camping, and finds adventure through skydiving. She keeps her family and church community close and remains active on behalf of her children as a member of the PTO in Ellington.
As Granby’s Teacher of the Year, Joy will be recognized at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in November, along with all other Teacher of the Year recipients from Connecticut towns. Please join us in congratulating Joy Cloukey as Granby’s 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year.
Note: The author is director of teaching and talent development for Granby Public Schools
It is no secret that Joy has a love and passion for reading. She collaboratively worked to bring One Book, One School, to Wells Road, an initiative that builds community and literacy by focusing a school on one common piece of literature. This initiative exemplifies Joy’s passion for reading and her desire to instill a similar love with her students and colleagues.
This school year, literature took Mrs. Cloukey’s class on a special journey as they read Pax by Sara Pennypacker. This incredibly beautiful story came to life in her classroom as students explored themes of loyalty, peace and friendship. There is no question that Joy resonates with Pennypacker’s message when the author writes “I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing. That is peace.”
Personally, Joy is incredibly close with her family and relaxes with camping, and finds adventure through skydiving. She keeps her family and church community close and remains active on behalf of her children as a member of the PTO in Ellington.
As Granby’s Teacher of the Year, Joy will be recognized at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in November, along with all other Teacher of the Year recipients from Connecticut towns. Please join us in congratulating Joy Cloukey as Granby’s 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year.
Note: The author is director of teaching and talent development for Granby Public Schools