Rosemary Manchester

Educator/Teacher

Rosemary is an ELA teacher at Plattsburgh Senior High School. She also teaches, among other electives, a Public Speaking course. 2020 will be her 20th year in education. Rosemary is married and has two adult children, both of whom graduated from Plattsburgh. She is native to Upstate New York, but travels when she can, and most recently went on an adventure from coast to coast in Costa Rica. Her life work in learning and supporting students in their achievements, but most importantly, in finding their voice.

Teaching and working with students. Effective communication and open dialogue. Art, as a method of idea sharing.

A colleague once told me that everyday students will honor us with what they share. I believe we should all remember that those around us honor us with their ideas and it is our responsibility to be worthy of that honor.

Literature, Teaching

I have always been good at communication, but insecure when speaking in front of others. In the last ten years I was placed in two situations that changed who I am and enhanced who I am as an educator. The first was my father being diagnosed with ALS. In the very early days of his ten year battle, he shared with me a frustrating experience about trying to find knowledgeable and accessible health care during this incredibly frightening time. We were/ are fortunate in that we had, and continue to have great health care, financial resources and education that assist us in these times of need. During that conversation he turned to me and said, "What happens to people who don't have what we have? Who speaks for them?" For the rest of that ten year battle, as he lost his voice, he continued to teach our family the importance of being a voice. I spoke at two findraising events for ALS research, in front of hundreds of people as his voice. Once upon diagnosis and the last, shortly after his passing. In both speeches I tried to impress upon everyone the obligation we all carry to be a voice for those who haven't one. Soon after my father was diagnosed I took over a Public Speaking course when a talented colleague and friend retired. I was hesitant and insecure about teaching a course I would not have taken myself in high school. She was correct though in the concept of the student's honoring me with what they shared. I truly marveled at the genuineness, insight and profound ideas that they were trying to spread. Soon enough, after using TED Talks in my classroom, I decided that genre was the perfect fit for a final project. Students were intimidated, but rose to the occasion on our stage in front of their classmates. Two semesters later, a student in the class approached me about applying for a license and making it real. That moment began the journey that has lead up to our first TEDxYouth@PHS event this fall. My father lives on in the voices of my students, as they use them to share their ideas with those fortunate enough to hear them.

Painting. I love sitting in front of an easel and simply focusing on the canvas. Its the best manner of release I have and I have learned that when I paint for me, I do my best work.