(This is an archive story, refer to following byline for author's name)
By Braylee Schlegel
“She [Manross] has created a space for me to truly be myself and grow without judgment,” English I and Debate Teacher Maci Romaine said. “I know without a doubt that she will understand and support me. I also laugh way more with her in my life.”
Stacy Manross teaches English I, Journalism, and she advises the Ursa Major Newspaper Staff. She has been at Brewer for three years currently, and the impact she has made has been unforgettable. Although she is the only teacher in the science hallway, she is one of the most influential teachers in the English department. Her charismatic personality and positive energy makes her easy to get along with.
“She treats everyone with respect and care,” Student Brooklin Schlegel said. “She is always eager to get to know any of her students and it really makes a difference in the long run.”
Manross teaches a mixture of core classes and elective courses, in-person and online, which gives her a lot of work. But she still manages to complete it all perfectly.
“Her work ethic is inspiring to see, she is always working on something for her students,” Student Gabby Vidana said. “With all of this in mind, she still manages to find time to have fun.”
Not only is her personality positive, but she brings the same energy into her classroom. While teaching she manages to joke around with students to make them feel comfortable, while also making sure they know the curriculum.
“She has very high expectations for her students, which means they learn so much in her courses,” AP English 3 Teacher and UIL Coordinator Alicia Bohannon said. “She is also clever and charming, so she makes great relationships with students.”
Even if she never had a person as her actual student, some still feel comfortable with going to her and saying hello every once in a while.
“I was never actually in her class but she was always so inviting and invested in whatever I was saying,” Schlegel said.
Her classroom is also very comforting. Students know that when they come in, that can be their safe place.
She began advising the Ursa Major News staff in 2017, not knowing anything about the organization. Despite this, she never gave up and learned along the way with the editors. In January of 2020, she was a big part of organizing the fundraiser, Battle of the Bands, which was the biggest fundraiser the newspaper had ever hosted. That fundraiser allowed the staff to print multiple copies of their issues. In February of 2020 she, alongside the Editor in Chief, printed the first issue of their newspaper. Since then they have printed two more, which is a big accomplishment for the staff. She did all of this plus more while also teaching her own classes and managing her personal life.
“I wouldn’t last a week in her shoes, not to mention she has to come home and deal with me, a strong-willed 3-year-old, and now a newborn,” Husband Chris Manross said. “It takes a special kind of person to be able to do that and still have a smile on their face.”
Manross is known for doing small things that mean a lot. She often sends cards in the mail for birthdays, special occasions, or just because.
“She sent us a thank you card for her Christmas gifts, as well as the gifts for her kids,” Newspaper Parent Michele Schlegel said. “She could have easily sent us a text message, but knowing that she took time out of her day to do that, shows what kind of person she is.”
Manross always makes sure to hold the friendships she has made with her peers at Brewer close, and everyone can tell how much they all really mean to her. Some friendships formed a while after the initial meeting.
“I met Mrs. Manross when I worked for my last district,” Bohannon said. “But we hit it off really well here at Brewer and have been pretty close for a few years now. She and I are friends for life, even if she doesn’t want to be.”
As well as making these memorable friendships with her coworkers, it is the same thing with her students. The impact she leaves is unimaginable. It will be exciting to see what she does in her future at Brewer and beyond that. Her students will be able to look back and remember what she did for them, as well as share their stories with a smile on their face.
“She will continue to be in our lives and watch my daughters go on to achieve the greatness that she helped with over the years,” Michele Schlegel said.