Brockton Loses One of Its Own
The Brockton Public School District is mourning the loss of Janice A. Beyer, a 31-year educator, 10-year School Committee member and lifelong friend to the greater Brockton community who died on Oct. 18.
Superintendent of Schools Kathleen A. Smith described Beyer as “bigger than life,” her love of literacy and the children of Brockton guiding everything she did.
“Not just in her 10 years on the Brockton School Committee, but in her 31 years as a third-grade teacher at the Kennedy School, where her classroom full of books was legendary,” Smith said.
Beyer shared her dedication to teachers and bettering their working conditions through three terms as chairwoman of the Brockton Education Association’s negotiating team. And, as founder of the city-wide Spelling Bee, she ensured that all children, not just those in public schools, had opportunities to learn and grow.
“Janice was truly a one-of-a-kind friend to Brockton who will be dearly missed,” Smith said.
School officials had a moment of silence in Beyer’s memory at the Oct. 20 School Committee meeting, where members and others shared memories of Beyer’s generosity and goodwill over the decades.
Brian Rogan, principal at the Kennedy, said the quote that most characterizes Beyer’s commitment to her students is from Henry Adams, who wrote: “A teacher affects eternity, (s)he can never tell where the influence stops.”
“Mrs. Beyer may never have known how deeply her life has touched others, but the Kennedy School is a better place with her strong influence a part of it,” Rogan said.
Services will be held on Nov. 1 at Conley Funeral Home in Brockton.