WOBURN — Woburn Public Schools and Goodyear Elementary School are proud to honor Ms. Colene Gibbons, the district’s longest-tenured teacher, who has dedicated an extraordinary 36 years to serving the students, families, and community of Woburn.
Gibbons began her career teaching Grade 1 at Clapp Elementary School before moving to the former Wyman School, and ultimately finding her home at Goodyear Elementary, where she has taught for the past 34 years. Over the course of her remarkable career, Gibbons has taught and inspired 682 students, leaving an enduring impact on Woburn’s educational community.
“Colene Gibbons continues to inspire students and adults at Goodyear Elementary School. Her energy and passion for her students are palpable,” said Superintendent Matthew Crowley. “She has been an incredible asset to WPS for many years, and her work does not go unnoticed. She has made a difference in so many lives, and I’m grateful to have seen her in action.”
Raised just down the street from the Goodyear School, Gibbons has spent her entire career giving back to the very community that shaped her. Her connection to the school spans four generations — her grandfather, father, and daughter are all Goodyear Elementary alumni.
Throughout her nearly four decades in education, Gibbons has gone far beyond the responsibilities of the classroom under her philosophy, “students first.” She brought the beloved motto “Kindness starts with me” to Goodyear, ensuring that everything in the school is done with a foundation of kindness and helping others. In this spirit, she famously developed the buddy bench, giving students a gentle, supportive way to seek out a friend.
Gibbons has also remained one of the enduring champions of the Character Trait Assembly, helping keep the beloved tradition alive year after year. She is especially known for her iconic moment at each assembly, proudly placing the Character Trait shirt over every deserving student, celebrating their character and achievements.
To generations of Goodyear students, she is the heart of the school — the sunshine and the warm smile that greets them each morning as they walk through the door.
“Colene pours her heart into her students. She has a gift for making them feel seen and staff feel supported. She is the gold in our school — genuine and irreplaceable, shining in everything she does,” said Goodyear Elementary School Paraprofessional Kristin Borselli.
Her influence also extends to her colleagues, as she has mentored countless educators with patience, wisdom and genuine care.
“My favorite memory of Colene Gibbons is seeing her as the joyful spirit of the holiday season, truly the only person who loves Christmas more than I do,” said retired Woburn Public Schools teacher Jessica Auferio. “Each year she creates a full calendar of December fun, culminating in her beloved Polar Express Day, complete with themed decorations, prizes, a reading of the book, the movie, and her famous hot chocolate with all the toppings. When I taught third grade, she would walk up to the top floor in her festive red apron just to deliver a warm cup to me, a small act that always brightened my day. This tradition has lasted nearly as long as she has taught first grade, and to me there is no teacher more magical. Beyond the holidays, Colene has a heart of gold — she mentors colleagues, supports everyone, makes handcrafted decorations for school events, plans engaging After the Bell classes, and even hand-delivers gifts to families in need during Christmas.”
Colene Gibbons’ dedication, compassion, and community-centered spirit have positively shaped thousands of lives, and Woburn Public Schools is honored to recognize her remarkable service.
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