Relishing the ‘lightbulb moments’
“My dad went to UNH; I applied early … I actually wrote a children’s book as my application essay, and I was the subject of the book,” she says.
That passion and interest in education haven’t waned: Now in her 18th year as an educator, Duclos spent the past year serving as the state’s Teacher of the Year, an honor announced in October 2023. In that role, she served as an ambassador for New Hampshire educators, speaking at events and connecting with other educators across the country. She teaches third grade at Pembroke Hill School, the elementary school in Pembroke with just over 330 students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Pembroke Hill Principal Wendy Gerry has described Duclos as a teacher who makes her students’ experience the utmost priority. “When you walk into her learning environment, it is evident that the students feel valued and safe to take risks in their learning. … Her ability to connect with students is truly superior.”
Duclos came back to campus last spring to talk with students in education classes taught by Vincent Connelly, associate professor, and Elaine Marhefka, clinical associate professor. UNH Magazine chatted with her during her campus visit.
When this school year started, what were your goals? I’m always looking to first and foremost build relationships with my students and get to know them. I’m also working to build a classroom community that is collaborative, caring and supportive for my learners. As a professional, I’m always looking to continue learning and growing. I have a few opportunities to speak at conferences in the coming months.
What advice would you give first-time teachers? I want first-year teachers to remember that they are enough. I know it sounds a bit cliché but as a first-year teacher, I was always striving to be perfect. I wanted to impress my students, colleagues and administration. What I found (and I wish I could go back and tell myself all these years later) is that just showing up and doing my best is what is most important. Also, only take one thing home each night. We have contract hours for a reason, and while I find myself doing work outside of these hours (like most teachers), I realized that if I focus on one thing each night, it tends to feel less overwhelming and I am able to tackle that task successfully.
Can you describe your experience with the New Hampshire Teacher of the Year program? When I got the email saying I had been named New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, I thought it was spam. I was blown away to be nominated, and throughout the application process, I really had a chance to look inward. It felt really good. In February 2024, I went to California for a national conference with the Council of Chief State School Officers, and I walked in thinking, “Why me? Why am I here?” And then I thought, “Why not me?” I truly hope to finish out the remainder of my year as the 2024 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year by speaking at a few more engagements and continuing to share my knowledge of teaching.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching? I love teaching children to read — to watch them gain that knowledge through stories … to be able to watch them go from non-readers to readers, and teaching them how to take what they read and make meaning out of it has been the most rewarding. The joy you get watching a child access learning at a young age and really engage in academics, whether it’s reading or learning a new math concept, you can see when they sort of think, “Oh my gosh, that’s what you meant.” Their eyes light up, they perk up in their seats. Those lightbulb moments … the lightbulb going off thing is real.