Chelsea Public Schools extends a heartfelt congratulations to Emmanuel "Manny" Crespo on winning the 2022-23 Butterfly Award! Mr. Crespo has worked in CPS and at the Kelly Elementary School since it opened its doors in 1996, and has taught in four separate decades, inspiring many of his students along the way. Mr. Crespo received his award on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at the first regular meeting of the Chelsea School Committee during the 2022-23 school year. See below for more details about the Butterfly Award, and a detailed description of Mr. Crespo's time in Chelsea. CPS is priveleged to have educators like him in our schools!

The Butterfly Award

The Butterfly Award is given by the family of Carolyn Arond in her memory each year to a teacher who exemplifies the qualities and attributes that Carolyn brought to her professional practice, namely, creative ideas, innovative instructional practices, and strong support of her colleagues.

Carolyn Arond exemplified the Chelsea Public Schools motto, “We welcome, and we educate.” Throughout her professional career, Carolyn believed in creating a welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment for her students. Carolyn was also a creative teacher. One who took initiative. And as a result, brought joy to students in her classroom and the school. Carolyn was a nature enthusiast and integrated her passion into her work. She initiated the idea of a butterfly garden at the Mary C. Burke Complex, hence the name of this award.

Carolyn was also supportive of her colleagues and their biggest cheerleader. She was an encouraging voice to teachers new to the profession and was always willing to lend a helping hand to support their success.

The contributions Carolyn made to her students and to the Chelsea Schools Community made a difference. Those who knew Carolyn know this to be true. Like the butterfly effect, Carolyn had, and continues to have, a positive impact on all.

Meet Emmanuel "Manny" Crespo

Mr. Crespo is a father to four children, stepdad to two, and grandfather to six, and ensures that he and his loving wife spend time with all of them, whether it be cruising around the world or spending vacation time at their timeshare.

He is an avid reader and lifelong learner who is always trying to better himself, both as a professional and as a man. During the pandemic, Mr. Crespo dedicated himself to figuring out how to use technology to create engaging and worthwhile physical education lessons over a virtual platform.

It may be no coincidence that Mr. Crespo started his Chelsea Public Schools teaching career in 1996, the first year that the Mary C. Burke Complex and the Kelly School opened its doors. It is almost as if Mr. Crespo was a part of the architectural design of the building as he has truly become a fixture in the Kelly School’s community.

A Chelsea resident in his 27^th year of teaching for Chelsea Public Schools, Mr. Crespo approaches his job as the Kelly School physical education teacher with the vigor and vim of a first year teacher combined with the wisdom and experience of someone who has taught in four separate decades.

One only needs to observe the first and last five minutes of each of his classes to know his worth. Upon entry to the gymnasium, one can feel the excitement of every student lined up ready to enter. Students are smiling and well-behaved, ready to maximize their time in the gym. Students have become accustomed to Mr. Crespo’s ability to create engaging learning experiences that truly excite them. As each class wraps up, every student is sweating and happy, while most take on leadership roles engaging in clean up and cool-down routines. But between the beginning and end of each class is where the magic happens. Whether it be engaging in an annual Jump Rope for Heart Challenge to raise funds for the American Heart Association, or a game that Mr. Crespo invented to apply specific skills that might not be so exciting when taught in isolation, his class is consistently accessible to ALL students through an intentional approach to planning to ensure that each individual student’s needs are met. 

Mr. Crespo’s dedication to the students and families of Chelsea does not live within the bells of the school day. He is a fixture at both family events at the school and district as well as numerous community events. He supported Chelsea families during the pandemic by volunteering regularly to distribute food and medical supplies. He is an ordained minister, and chose education as a career so that he could give back to his community. As a result, Mr. Crespo cannot walk the streets of Chelsea without running into a familiar face. Of course, this is not a surprise, as Mr. Crespo has served over 12,000 students during his time in Chelsea Public Schools.

Mr. Crespo is also a positive contributor to the school climate and is willing to lend a hand to any one of his colleagues in need. He is respected by all that know him.