Henrico's Top Teachers – Libby Gregg

When Libby Gregg's life was being turned upside down, no one could have blamed her for taking time for herself to wage the most important battle she had ever faced.

But instead of seeking solace or pity, she immersed herself in the only work she's ever known – teaching.

Gregg, a kindergarten teacher at Pinchbeck Elementary, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2015 and endured chemotherapy and surgery in the months ahead. Last year, she underwent radiation treatment and additional chemo. But she maintained her presence in the classroom, providing the same nurturing attention and care that has been a hallmark of her 27-year career (the last 17 of which she's spent at Pinchbeck).

"Even though it was hard and there were some days when I just physically could not go, I knew that that was my job, and that's where I was needed," said Gregg, who now has a clean bill of health. "I almost felt like that was my safe place. The kids needed me, they loved me, they wanted me there. I would go sometimes even though I didn't feel great because I knew 'This is my job, and this is what I do."

Gregg credited the administration and staff of Pinchbeck with helping her survive the fight. They ordered "Team Libby" shirts that all staff members wore as part of a pink-out every Wednesday to show support for their colleague.

"It was just very touching to know that they did those things for me," she said. "I would not have made it through what I made it through without that love and support."

Gregg owes her teaching career, she said, to her own second-grade teacher at nearby Pemberton Elementary, Anne Kelly.

"She is the one who inspired me to become a teacher because in second grade I wanted to be just like her," Gregg said. "I wanted to be just like Mrs. Kelly when I grew up, and I never changed my mind. She was just so loving and patient."

Gregg regularly returned to Kelly's classroom throughout her own elementary, middle and high school years and even into college, helping her former teacher set up the room and picking up tips and advice. Though Kelly retired several years ago, the two stay in regular touch – and Kelly's classroom approach continues through Gregg, according to parents.

"Not only did Mrs. Gregg teach my children how to read, learn math, and all the other important subjects of school, but Mrs. Gregg taught my children that learning is fun," one parent wrote in a nomination letter. "Many prior students of Mrs. Gregg's feel the same way even though they're no longer in her class, as evidenced by the number of students coming up to her to get morning hugs before they head to their class for the day.  She is an inspiration!”

For Gregg, the joy of working with kindergartners (the past three years) and first-graders (the previous 14) is the ability to foster – and witness – in them a tremendous amount of growth in a short period of time.

"They don't know their letters, they don’t know their sounds [at the beginning of the school year], and then at the end of the year it's just amazing to see how far they've come and how much they've progressed," she said. "It's just a fun age. They learn so much, and to have that influence on them is just huge."

Gregg's influence undoubtedly has extended far and wide, according to a nominator.

"Any child in Mrs. Gregg's class is lucky to have her love, her kindness, her caring attitude that helps them flourish," a parent wrote. "Mrs. Gregg has set the tone for my girls to be excited and enthusiastic lifelong learners."