Eight years after graduating, former student Thyra Andrews still spent time with the woman that helped her find her career in music therapy. Whether it was meeting for coffee, going out for lunch or shopping around Greektown, Andrews always felt at ease with Carey Green.
"I could talk about anything with her. We had pretty personal conversations. She became a friend as I got older," said Andrews.Carey Christine Green (nee Kotsovos) died Wednesday, Feb. 24 after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 60. The last 26 years of her life were dedicated to teaching music at Thistletown Collegiate Institute (TCI). Andrews was only one of the many lives touched by Green."She did so much for the kids; she put them through Kiwanis and got them into university," said fellow colleague and English teacher Donna McCorquodale, who worked with Green for 17 years.During McCorquodale's time at TCI, she noticed Green's interest in her students, "For years, I'd walk in before eight o'clock and music was already coming from her room, and even after six, kids were still there. She had such a fierce dedication. I really admire her."Aside from teaching music, history and career studies, Green also conducted a student orchestra, devoting extra hours each week to coaching her students. With morning rehearsals at 7:30 a.m. and after-class practices, her students relied on her and she never let them down."Being in orchestra was great because no matter who your friends were, no matter what hallway your locker was in, for one hour you got to leave all that high school mess behind," wrote former student Alejandra Borges on a Facebook group created in memory of Green, currently at 335 members and counting.Former student Tristan Khan knew that Green cared deeply about her students. "She was always worried about me. When I came to school in the morning, she'd ask me if I ate because she knew that I didn't eat breakfast. One day she brought me breakfast," he recalled.From staying late after work to comforting and giving advice to students, to performing alongside student Stephanie Medeiros when Medeiros was too nervous to play alone, Green's love for her students was undeniable.TCI biology teacher Bala Rasul and colleague of 20 years agreed, "She had a passion for what she did. I envied her for how she went through life with such heart and soul."Green's recognition spanned further than the school. Etobicoke North trustee John Hastings remembered Green's dedication. "She was an excellent teacher, always encouraging her students, always pushing them to succeed. When you get that in a teacher, that's all you can really ask for," said Hastings, "We were lucky to have her."Green's colleagues remember her for fighting to keep the school's music program strong and ensuring that students had their annual concerts. The community looks back on her kind-heartedness, as Green brought her students to perform at senior citizen residences and shopping malls. Former students and colleagues are working on creating a music award at TCI in Green's name and as is tradition at the school, a tree will be planted in her memory.McCorquodale looks back fondly, "She was a legend in the sense of a teacher and meant so much to so many kids."Green is survived by her husband, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.