Position: Retiring Spanish Teacher
School: Northwestern High School
School District: Prince George's County Public Schools
City, State: Hyattsville, MD
Music that Describes Annis
Annis Creese was nominated by her colleague, Misty Richards.
"Ms. Creese was one of the first staff members I got to know when I came to Northwestern High School in 2016," said Richards. "Her classroom was right across the hall from mine. Over the next few years, I got to work with Ms. Creese with some of my students. I'm a special education teacher, and a few of the students on my caseload had Ms. Creese as their Spanish teacher. We would email back and forth, and I even went down to her classroom on several occasions to see what we could put in place so my students would be more successful. She had a couple of my more challenging students, but she always advocated for their best interests in her class. She wanted the best for all of her students!"
Ms. Creese had a thick accent and a great sense of humor to go along with her caring, nurturing spirit. She grew up in poverty and fought from an early age to get her education. She told stories about growing up in “The Islands," and how her relatives did not think it was important for her to get an education. Ms. Creese did not agree and would read books by candlelight after her family turned the lights out on her. She was determined to get her education. She beat the odds that were stacked against her. Eventually, she moved to the United States, where she continued her studies and got a college education. She instilled this love of learning into her own children, as well as her students.
Ms. Creese came to Northwestern High School, home of the Wildcats, in 1995. Since then, hundreds of students have passed through the doorway of her classroom. Many students at her school face disadvantages, and Ms. Creese understood all of these challenges because she herself had faced them growing up. Several of her former students would stop by to say hello and ask her how things were going on their way to class. Others who had graduated would keep in touch with her and let her know what they were doing and how she inspired them. Many students thought of her as their other “mom” because she cared about all of her students and wanted the best for them. They could feel that love.
Ms. Creese was just as caring to her NHS colleagues, as well. She would always smile and give a friendly greeting in Spanish or English as she came up the stairs to make copies in the teachers’ lounge.
As everyone scrambled to prepare for Maryland’s statewide school closure due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus, Ms. Creese was preparing her students to take Spanish online. This was supposed to be her last adventure as a veteran Spanish teacher before enjoying retirement. Sadly, Ms. Creese would not get to enjoy this major milestone in life.
On Sunday, April 5, 2020, the staff and students of Northwestern High School received the heart-wrenching news that Ms. Creese passed away of complications from COVID-19. The coronavirus, the same virus that caused schools and businesses to close, had now claimed the life of Ms. Creese, just two weeks after another beloved member of the NHS staff passed away due to COVID-19.
"Our motto at Northwestern is 'Once a Wildcat, ALWAYS a Wildcat.' Ms. Creese was a true Wildcat," said Richards. "She was always encouraging her students to aim high, go for their dreams, and never give up. She was an inspiration to everyone she met. Ms. Creese, we thank you for all your kind, encouraging words, seeing the potential in your students, and wanting nothing but the best for them!"