Townsend named NYACCE Teacher of the Year

Greece Adult Literacy teacher and Hilton resident Jeanne Townsend has touched the lives of over one thousand students from more than 80 countries in the 26 years that she has been an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) instructor. In recognition of her efforts, Jeanne has been selected as one of five NYACCE teachers of the year.

Jeanne began her long educational career at Cornell University in 1947. After two years of college, she married husband Fred and started a family. She worked on the Literacy Volunteers newsletter and eventually tutored for LVA when the youngest of her four children reached fifteen. With the children grown, and at age 52, Jeanne entered the Mature Adult Program at SUNY Brockport and completed her college education. She started working for Greece Community Education in September of 1975 as an ESOL instructor and also taught ESOL classes at BOCES 2.

After 26 years with Greece, she is still teaching ESOL night classes and home study ESOL students. Four years ago, Jeanne was instrumental in starting an annual ESOL Celebration for Greece Community Education. In addition, she has given workshops at NYSTESOL (New York State Teachers of English as a Second Language) regional meetings and at Literacy Volunteers.

Although Jeanne has been the instructor for almost three decades, she believes that her students teach her about geography, politics, history, and how to survive under very difficult conditions. "I have the greatest admiration and respect for my students," she says.