Janice Brady, Leaving a Legacy of Inspiration and Dedication

Leaving a Legacy of Inspiration and Dedication

After 32 years of service, Portsmouth Abbey bids a fond farewell to Janice Brady

Science teacher Janice Brady has always been ahead of her time. Long before schools touted “experiential learning,” Janice was leading hands-on, experimental labs in her classroom.

Long before schools turned their attention to the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Janice was infusing her classes with real-world applications, helping students understand why this knowledge was vital.

And not long before Portsmouth Abbey transitioned to coeducation in 1991, she joined the small group of female faculty members at the Abbey that included French teacher Nancy Brzys, Spanish teacher Kim Kalkus, Virginia Stone in the art department, and Reading and English Specialist Rosemary Fagan, paving the path for a strong female presence on campus.

Last spring, Janice retired after 32 years of devoted service to the Abbey, and throughout her tenure, she has been the embodiment of the School’s mission: “love of learning — grounded in wonder, undertaken in humility, and fueled by the hunger for truth.” Admired by generations of students and by her colleagues, former Headmaster Jim DeVecchi describes Janice as kind, calm, compassionate and caring, and he said that she “had a profound impact on the lives of so many at Portsmouth.”

Whether she was planning inventive science or chemistry lessons, working with students after hours to help them grasp the curriculum, or fueling her advisees with donuts and juice, Janice was a steadfast teacher who expected the best from herself and from her students. As the School community bids her farewell, it is with extreme gratitude for the mark she has left on the Abbey and on so many students’ lives.

Welcoming the Girls

Janice moved into the third floor of Manor House in 1988, fresh from a teaching post at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The apartment had not yet been renovated, and while it boasted magnificent views of Narragansett Bay, it also included the occasional visit from a field mouse.

Three years later, the School welcomed 22 female day students for the first time, and Janice was key in easing the transition. Initially, the first floor of Manor House, which had been the school library, became the first girls’ congregation space. The next fall, St. Mary’s House opened to accommodate the first boarding girls. Then, in the third year of coeducation, Manor House opened as a girls’ residential House, and students were housed by Forms.

Janice became the houseparent to the Third Form girls in Manor House. Janice and Nancy, during those first years of coeducation, were invested in helping the girls succeeded academically and ensuring that they enjoyed

their experience at the Abbey. In order to facilitate bonding and cultivate school spirit among their small group of female students, the duo began to build new traditions that carry on to this day, like providing snacks to the students after study hall, or hanging brimming Christmas stockings from the common room mantle in Manor House. Another favorite, still eagerly anticipated each Christmas season, was the dorm trip to see “A Christmas Carol” enacted at Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, the evening topped off with desserts from Gregg’s once back in the House. Nancy feels that she and Janice not only shared the love of teaching, but also the bond of working through hard times and lean budgets in those early years on campus. Concurrently, Janice also taught a summer chemistry course at Bristol Community College, where she met her husband, Brian Carlos, a professor of economics. Brian moved into Manor House and lived there with Janice until 2004. One night, the legend holds, a few boys sneaked into Manor House. The commotion awakened Brian and Janice. The plan was thwarted, and the boys were directed to call their parents, which resulted in some memorable discipline. After that episode, the maintenance crew planted a row of prickly bushes under the first-floor windows.

Janice’s Manor House apartment also saw its fair share of science experiments. She was so dedicated to teaching that when she sustained an ankle injury and couldn’t get to her classroom in the late 90s, she invited her students to the House for class and labs. Alyson Bates Lombard ’99 recollects, “A highlight of my high school years was a titration lab in Ms. Brady’s Manor House apartment. Another of my fondest memories of the Abbey is AP Chemistry Lab finals, which were done on a Friday evening, and Ms. Brady played B101 on the radio while we did our labs. I still love chemistry.”

Ms. Brady in her first year of teaching at Portsmouth Abbey Think About It

In the classroom, students loved Janice as much as they loved the science experiments they conducted. Dr. Amara Murray Mulder ’99 recalls fondly, “I remember the excitement of doing experiments in honors chemistry and AP chemistry under her careful tutelage. Ms. Brady had an understated and dry sense of humor and a deep appreciation for the wonder of the world at its molecular and atomic level, which helped bring chemistry to life for us students. ‘And this is why God, in her infinite wisdom, made water the molecular basis of life...,’ she quipped as she taught us about hydrogen bonds.”

Dr. Mulder says Janice’s coursework was rigorous, and it gave her the confidence to pursue a degree in biochemistry in college, to work in several labs over the course of her undergraduate and graduate years, and to eventually pursue a career as a physician. “The challenging college coursework I undertook in inorganic and organic chemistry was not at all overwhelming, but just seemed a smooth continuation of what Ms. Brady had taught me already.”

Ms. Brady was presented with a special gift on Prize Day1999, by Amara Murray Mulder ’99 and her classmates

Along with academic rigor, Janice also believed in making science fun, and her field trips to marshes and estuaries around Rhode Island to study and document marine life in its natural habitat were legendary (the stops at Gray’s Ice Cream stand on the way home making it all the more memorable).

Each year, Janice hosted a forensics lab for her class, complete with crime-scene tape and a murder mystery to be solved by inquisitive students. On the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of Elements, her students held a party, recreating the Table with cupcakes and element symbols decorated on top. Students looked as forward to her creative lessons as they did the snacks she provided.

“Ms. Brady was core to an amazing crew of science teachers at the Abbey who instilled in me a lifelong love of science, and an understanding of the workings of the natural world which has now endured for more than twenty years,” attests Lt. Col. John Heins, USAF ’01. “I am now, as best I can, passing that love and understanding along to my children, and I sincerely hope that they are fortunate enough to have teachers like I had to fan the flames of their scientific curiosity.”

In 2009, a small group of AP chemistry students who wanted to continue studying chemistry in their Sixth Form year suggested a Green Chemistry course as an option. Janice happily responded, offering an independent study lab course that next year. The class sought to apply and integrate the principles of Green Chemistry—the use of chemical research to address the problems confronting society with minimal environmental impact and sustainability, while employing qualitative, quantitative and instrumental analysis. In the first two years that the course was offered, students devised and implemented their own schemes of analysis to investigate specific lab problems. The course ultimately became so popular that it was added permanently to the science curriculum.

Janice noted, “The most rewarding aspect of the class is that it is truly a collaborative exchange of ideas and an active, inquirybased learning experience. The students constantly challenge and motivate each other. It is very gratifying, refreshing and a luxury to work with students who are genuinely excited about applying and broadening their knowledge of chemistry.”

Doug Lebo ’15, who is currently finishing up his Master of Public Health degree at the University of Vermont and continuing in medicine at Université de Montréal, relished his time in the Green Chemistry class, also dubbed “Chemistry Club.” “It was more or less an excuse to do some fun experiments with color and time, see what fun reagents (in bottles older than most of us, occasionally labelled in German) we could find in the stock room, and talk about what each of us loved about chemistry, putting us on different paths that all revolved around a shared love of the science,” he says. “Learning from Ms. Brady was an absolute pleasure – she sparked a love of chemistry in me that was beyond a doubt the reason I pursued (and had the drive and skills to complete) a BSc in biochemistry. She always let the science shine through to speak for itself to those of us who couldn’t get enough of it.”

Janice was fond of presenting her class with inquirybased labs where her students had to devise their own procedures, and many students appreciated that she

didn’t readily supply them with answers, replying to their questions with her trademark quip: “Think about it!”

Kevin Legein ’12 said her approach made him a better student – both in her classroom and in life. “Ms. Brady imparted to me, above all, an attitude toward solving problems I emulate even now,” he says. “Her solutions were almost rudely elegant and simple next to the perplexing questions. When I fall short in life, my mind can always recur to the old science building – and to the easy competence she emanated and, when the situation seems dire, to her invariable injunction, ‘Think about it!’”

Above and Beyond

It’s not just Janice’s students who respected and enjoyed her. Janice’s colleagues point to her kindness and dedication as a teacher, mentor and friend. Tough, but fair, no student was left behind.

Retired biology teacher Robert Sahms says, “I couldn’t have asked for a better colleague and friend in Janice Brady. When I arrived at my office at 7:30 a.m., Ms. Brady often, if not daily, was already in her chemistry classroom providing extra help to a student or students. Her dedication to and love of her students was unparalleled.”

Retired study skills specialist and colleague Christine Sahms adds, “Ms. Brady prioritized others before self. Over the years of service to Portsmouth Abbey, Ms. Brady cared for her advisees, often going above and beyond. She readily met students at various times of the day to explain chemistry questions. Ms. Brady also sought methods to help students grasp concepts that they did not comprehend in the regular classroom setting. She also served as a friend and mentor to many of the faculty.” Dr. DeVecchi noted, “Janice’s qualities of character and commitment to the rigors of teaching chemistry created a wonderful and positive classroom environment for her students. If one were to pick a student of Janice’s at random and ask what he/she thought of Janice as a chemistry teacher, odds are that one would not know by the response if this student was one of her most highly successful AP students or a struggling Chem 1 student. The message here being that Janice cared deeply about and was committed to the success of each and every one of her students – a commitment that was recognized and appreciated by essentially all of her students.”

As an advisor, Janice has scores of devoted former advisees who fondly remember the Entenmann’s Donuts and “mango tango juice” she supplied. Colleague Susan McCarthy remembers, “Every Tuesday morning last year, there would be a gallon of milk in the science faculty room refrigerator that Janice had brought to give to one of her advisees, so he wouldn’t have to go to the dining hall every time he wanted milk that week, and she always had a special treat for her advisees.”

In addition to teaching chemistry and marine science, Janice assisted Bob Rainwater in coaching club soccer, using the hockey rink parking lot for practice in her first years on campus, and she was the faculty advisor for the yearbook. Throughout her tenure at the Abbey, Janice was very dedicated to yearbook, Nancy Brzys recalls. “I remember her getting excited about making the yearbook just right each year; she devoted hours to it even in the summer after students had left for vacation.”

The past 30 years of yearbooks, produced by a hard-working crew of Abbey students, would not have made it to the bookshelf without Janice’s

Ms. Brady was renowned for encouraging students to“Think about it.”

You taught chemistry with such fervor that you instilled in me at a young age that science matters and deserves to be celebrated. I remember your infectious excitement over Avogadro’s Mole Day and Pi Day. You left an imprint beyond the Abbey because I bring in pie to the office every year. You always made me feel welcomed and empowered as a female student. Thank you for your patience and kindness. – Monica Natasha Hidalgo ’09

It was a pleasure working with Ms. Brady on the yearbook my Sixth Form year. It wasn’t until working on the Gregorian did I realize the intricacies and craft that went into putting this great collection of memories together. Having had her for Chemistry as a Fourth former it was great to reconnect. – Sarah Sienkiewicz ’13

From my chemistry class to the snacks she shared in the science building, Ms. Brady is witty and ready with a sharp retort, but mostly full of love, care, and compassion for her students. It’s the mornings in the dining hall, late evenings at dinner, the moments stolen in the day between classes that make life at the Abbey so special. Ms. Brady was and will forever be an integral part of my Abbey story. I thank her for staying in touch and the visits we have had as alumni. You will be missed, but never forgotten, always in the heart of our community. – Jamie Chapman ’13

Ms. Brady is such an excellent educator, and her chemistry class was one of the reasons I first became interested in science. She was really passionate about her subject and made learning about chemistry interesting. I’ll always remember making ice cream in her lab to learn about thermodynamics. I credit her and Mr. Sahms with fostering my love of science and research, which helped inspire me to pursue my current career as a dentist. Thank you, Ms. Brady! – Margaret G. Ferrara, D.D.S. ‘08

Teaching Chemistry to a group of teenagers is a daunting task in itself. Ms. Brady conducted her classes with grace and kindness and I will forever remember this. – Kate Driscoll ‘20

Thank you for being such a great and caring teacher. Two years of chemistry with you really taught me how to think analytically which has helped me all throughout college. You have known me throughout my childhood and I cannot thank you enough for the positive impact on my life. – Shane McCarthy, Jr. ’18

The whole advisory group misses you so much, the mango-tango juice and the donuts, and everything. I enjoy the time spent with you in all the Tuesday advisory time (you said the advisory is the best part of the day) as well as Honors Chem. It has been really rewarding learning chemistry with you. – Caroline Yao ’22

Thank you for making my transition to the Abbey so smooth. I couldn’t have asked for a better advisor to welcome me into the Abbey and help guide me through my first year. – Charlie Baughan ‘22 Ms. Brady was known not only for her teaching excellence but also for her kindness and dedication to her students.

unwavering dedication to the project each year. Regular afternoon and nightly meetings and long summers of cleaning up the loose ends resulted in the beautifully bound books that graduates keep close at hand even decades after moving on from the Abbey. Of these students and so many others that Janice taught and mentored over her career on Cory’s Lane, she has remained close to so many, staying in contact with them and lauding their successes.

Having lost her husband to cancer in 2013, Janice moved into the School’s solar-powered faculty residence. The self-sufficient home was built by Rhode Island School of Design architecture students for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2005, and it was moved to campus as one of Portsmouth Abbey’s remarkable sustainability initiatives. Before retiring in the spring of 2020, Janice was able to teach in the newly built state-ofthe-art science building.

Jonathan Susilo ‘19, now studying at Johns Hopkins University, says he despised chemistry before taking Ms. Brady’s class. “Having you as my teacher singlehandedly changed my perspective on the subject and set me on a different path for

Periodic Table birthday cupcakes

my future studies,” he writes in a letter to her. “I’ll never forget seeing the snacks you got us when class was especially hard (and how much you cared about which snacks we liked), or our last day where you gave us all small awards. Your attitude as a teacher truly goes above and beyond what is asked for, and as your student, I could see how much you cared about each and every person in our class and did everything you could to ensure our proper education.”

Perhaps Susilo best sums up the sentiments of decades of Janice’s students as he wishes her a happy retirement: “This retirement is one you truly deserve, but I can’t help but feel sorry for future Abbey students as they won’t have the opportunity to have you as their teacher,” he says. “I wish you all the best in whatever you choose to do next and hope you continue to inspire and change the people you meet, just as you have done for me.”

– Kathy Heydt

Since the first day of my Abbey experience, you had unwavering belief and confidence in me. Words cannot explain how much this belief helped me believe in myself in academics, socially, but especially in my tennis. You told me to never give up, to keep pushing along, no matter how tough things had been. Advisory had always been the highlight of my Tuesday, the donuts and mango tango juice were always comforting (especially after having extended humanities the period before). Thank you for everything you have helped me overcome. – Flynn O’Connell‘22

During my childhood, high school and beyond, you have inspired me! From hanging out with you in the chemistry lab with my parents to being in your class for two years in a row, you helped me grow in my love and appreciation for science. AP Chemistry was the class that set me on the path I am on today, and I know that I will still think back to it as I start my medical school classes this year. Thank you for being such a kind and thoughtful teacher and mentor. – Meghan McCarthy ’15

Though I was unable to last in honors chemistry my sophomore year you never held that against me as an advisee. Your unwavering belief in me helped me tremendously during my time in high school. I will always cherish those advisory meetings watching Karl and Sam fight it out for the last donut. Congrats on your retirement! – Joe Breen ’18

I cannot thank you enough for all the help you’ve given me during my years at the Abbey. I’m incredibly grateful to have had such an understanding and selfless advisor/teacher. Although Chemistry was undoubtedly not my strongest subject, you always helped me to understand it to the best of my ability. I’ll miss looking forward to advisory with you every Tuesday and the donuts and mango-tango you brought. You’ve been such a prominent figure during my Abbey career and I’ll miss you incredibly. Stay in touch! – Hannah Best ’22

Your amazing knowledge, patience and encouragement helped me to find my passion in chemistry and land a career in an industry that I’m very passionate about, and for that I can’t thank you enough. Through your classes, completing AP lab reports and Green Chemistry helped me foster lifelong friendships with my some of my fellow chemistry classmates. Thank you for bringing together a community of tight-knit nerds, and for supporting us in our Abbey years and beyond! – Hadley Matthews ’10

It’s teachers like you who make Portsmouth Abbey the special place that it is, and while I can’t say I was the best Chemistry student you ever had, I can say that I truly enjoyed your class! Thank you for your tutelage, leadership, and friendship over the past thirty-two years. The school will not be the same without you. – Pierce King ’08

You’re one of the people that I miss sincerely. I’m grateful for having had you as my teacher. May life smile on you forever. – Violet Wang ‘19