After decades spent in the classroom—coaching teams, grading essays late into the night, and cheering on generations of students—a beloved teacher closes the final chapter of a remarkable career. Retirement, long imagined as a distant milestone, has finally arrived. But before the last bell rings, there’s a story to tell—one filled with laughter, learning, and the quiet legacy left behind in every student inspired along the way.
Nancy Manning or as many of us know her as “Momma” is retiring this year with her final senior advisory which is bittersweet for most. Momma is well known by many for being the loudest in the stands at any and all sports games as well as standing in the hallway during passing always with a smile on her face and asking every student even if they are unknown to her “how are you?”. With Momma retiring she will be leaving a lasting impression on all of the Woodland students, faculty, and alumni. Momma Manning has been teaching at Woodland for sixteen years, she currently teaches Sophomore English, as well as AP Literature.
While Momma is retiring she will be traveling and writing more poems as well as works of fiction, and hopes to return to the nest to watch some games and attend special events.
Momma shares some of her most memorable moments from her time at Woodland.
“There have been so many memorable moments, including winning NVL’s for boys’ tennis three years in a row; winning states for softball, baseball, dance, volleyball, boys’ swimming; achieving high scores for AP Lang and Lit each year I taught those classes; and especially attending four national Quiz Bowl tournaments and placing second in three of them.”
While those achievements hold a special place in her heart, what has mattered most was the lasting impact her students have left on her.
“ I really admire the perseverance of Sean Eustace; the leadership of Eric Meade; the Quiz Bowl dedication and achievement of Colin Slavin, Zach Drewry, Isabella and Emma Farbrizi, Charlie Schwarz, Bayan Galal, Aisha Yusuf, Evan Lin, Brian O’Connell and Kenny Arnold; the athletic talent of Tanner Kingsley and Casey Mulligan; and the heart of John D’Amico.”
As many highschoolers think they do not leave lasting impressions on teachers, Momma is living proof that they do. As a teacher whose heart has been touched by every student who walked through her door, she will carry the stories of her students not just into retirement but into the generations that follow. The laughter, the struggles, and triumphs have become part of her own story, one she’ll share for years and years to come.
Kailyn Lawton, currently a senior in Momma’s advisory says “Momma has made a lasting impression on me personally, she encouraged me to keep reaching for my goals and was so proud of me when I came back from this previous summer break with an EMT certification. The best part was the smile and joy on her face to see me accomplish something I was so passionate about.”
Momma is an example of how we should want to live our life. She is the kindest soul, always there when you need someone to listen, a great advice giver, and always willing to provide a nap or snacks if needed.
Isabella Vaccaro, currently another senior in Momma’s advisory says “She always has a smile, and no matter how hard her day may be, she always makes an effort to check in on anyone and everyone. “
As Momma retires she wants students and faculty to remember her as “ a firm but fair teacher, a cheerleader, and motivational speaker. Someone who was completely dedicated.”
Many of us know Momma was more than dedicated to her job and more than willing to help you with any work to the best of her ability as well as staying after school and sitting with students to provide the help needed no matter how long it took.
The things she will miss most is class discussions, teaching grammar, correcting essays,
recording Morning Mayhem podcasts, and celebrating NY Giants wins with staff and administrators.
As Momma leaves her Woodland legacy behind she wants to pass along one last piece of advice for staff and students coming into Woodland who have not had the chance for her to be their teacher, advisor, as well as co-worker is
“Always dream big and as Henry David Thoreau said, “Put the foundations under your dreams.” That is, work diligently to make those dreams come true. Achievement is worth that effort put forth.”
