Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Manley

 *BCSD Nurse*

By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak

January 28, 2022

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Barb Manley. Mrs. Manley is our nurse here in the Brooklyn City School District. She started her career as a nurse after graduating from nursing school at Ohio State University. She also earned her Master’s Degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Since then, she has worked as a School Nurse as well as a Pediatric Nurse for roughly 40 years. Mrs. Manley is well-known for her thoughtful and kind character, as well her ability to provide her patients with the best possible care. 

Q: What sparked your interest in becoming a school nurse?

A: “I always wanted to be a nurse. I started showing an interest in nursing at a young age. At the time I was in about sixth grade, my brother’s girlfriend was in nursing school, and her school had an open-house type of organization where you could experience what it would be like being a nurse. Immediately, I knew that nursing was what I wanted to do.”

Q: Where did you go to college, and why did you choose that school?

A: “I went to Ohio State University. I went there because aside from my interest in nursing, I had a variety of other class options as an alternative if I decided I wanted to take a different career path. I also got my Master’s Degree at Case Western; my degree was a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.”

Q: What are some of your favorite highlights working here in the Brooklyn City Schools?

A: “The staff here is awesome to work with, and they are just truly a wonderful group of people. I, of course, love working with my fellow nurses, Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Cutright. Aside from the staff, I work with a wide-range of students, ranging in ages anywhere from Pre-K through 12 grade. Therefore, I get to see all the different age groups as well as all the different personalities from the different kids in the district. I love working with such a diverse group of kids, each so unique in their own way. Since Brooklyn is a smaller school, I feel like I have a better opportunity to get to know the kids.”

Q: What has been the most challenging part for you as a school nurse working through the current pandemic? 

A: “Just trying to make sure that we stay on top of things. It can be very difficult to manage so much in order to keep the case numbers and infection rate low and safe for us to remain in our semi-normal functions. Probably the most difficult but vital part is encouraging everyone to follow all the guidelines and expressing the importance of staying home if sick and wearing a mask when required.”

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of work? 

A: “I love to read and listen to music. I love reading all styles of books. It was instilled, ever since I was little, to read. I love listening to music as well as going to concerts. My family and I also have a lake house in Marblehead; we love to go every weekend in the Summer as a get-away. Boating, outdoor activities, soaking in nature, and spending time with my family is pretty much how I spend my free time when I’m away at the lake house.”

Q: What is your go-to restaurant?

A: “I love AJ’s Urban Bar & Grille in Westlake, Ohio. They have a great menu with a variety of different options to choose from.”

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: “My biggest pet peeve is definitely disrespect.” 

Q: If you had an all-expenses paid vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? 

A: “I’ve always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise. I want to do an Alaskan cruise because I’ve never been there. I’ve also heard so many wonderful things about how beautiful it is. I want to experience nature and just the scenery. So, that is definitely on my bucket list. But for right now, I would go anywhere!”

Thank you, Mrs. Manley. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to the Brooklyn City School District. You are so kind and compassionate.