PEABODY — The Peabody Education Foundation has announced that Richard Carey, Judith Maniatis (posthumously), Jean Marchetti, Joanne Pantapas (posthumously), Don Raphael (posthumously) and Jon Simmons have been selected as 2021 George Peabody Legacy Award winners.
The award honors educators and philanthropists from within the community for their lifetime contributions to the Peabody educational system who have gone above and beyond their duties to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students.
Foundation President and Chairman of the Board David Gravel said this is a “well-deserved honor” for every honoree.
“I think they represent a fantastic group of individuals who were not only generous of their time and energy, but who made a big difference within our school system,” he said. “They all truly deserve to be on that wall of honor with the past recipients.”
Carey taught drama, stagecraft and improvisation at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School (PVMHS) for more than 25 years. He directed and produced more than 100 plays and musicals as the director of the school’s award-winning drama club, Stage One.
“He had the gift of bringing together students from different backgrounds through art and theater,” Gravel said.
Maniatis died unexpectedly in November 2019. She worked in the Peabody Public Schools for more than 20 years as a special education teacher, IEP chairperson, “B” house dean and, most recently, as assistant principal of PVMHS.
“Judie was kind, loving and energetic, and steadfastly committed to fairness and competence in the belief of ‘Every Student, Every Day,'” said Gravel.
Marchetti is a longtime educator and former head of the Family and Consumer Science Department at PVMHS.
“Jean’s area of expertise is culinary arts, but she could teach any course in her department and she pitched in wherever her skills were needed,” Gravel said. “She had a way of guiding her students with all ability levels in doing their personal best. “
Pantapas began her career as the director and creator of the Passos Avante Preschool at the South Memorial School. She also operated the before- and after-school program at the South School for children in grades K-5.
“Joanne embodied everything a master educator should be …. kind, flexible and patient,” Gravel said.
Raphael, or “Mr. Raph,” was an art educator in the Peabody Public Schools for 30 years at the Higgins Middle School.
“He influenced many young artists,” said Gravel. “His character, personality and sense of humor made it easy to fall in love with his class and with the world of art.”
Simmons has been the director of performing arts at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School for 26 years, providing meaningful artistic experiences which continue to enrich and enhance the lives of his students.
“He is (still) committed to an arts education that promotes the unique creativity inherent in all his students while also cultivating a cooperative environment which fosters an appreciation for artistic collaboration,” said Gravel.
Vice President and Vice Chair Thomas Gould said this year’s class features some great educators.
“It’s a wonderful class of award winners,” he said. “This year, we’re thrilled to have such an exceptional group of people who were honored.”
“Absolutely a wonderful group of honorees,” Peabody Mayor and School Committee Chairman Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. said.
Gravel also noted that the past year has been a difficult one for educators, with the COVID-19 pandemic taking kids out of school and forcing teachers to adapt.
“It was an enormous challenge for them last year and they came through with amazing results,” said Gravel. “Our program, (the) Peabody Education Foundation, was able to work very closely with a whole slew of new programs to help keep the classroom engagement levels up when it was very difficult to do remotely, but the teachers were so supportive and so appreciative of the effort. It was worth every minute.”
An awards ceremony will be held at Higgins Middle School on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. For additional information, contact Gravel at 978-538-9055.
