Nancy Usher dedicated her life to education and to the community of Melrose. A proud graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1956, she went on to earn her degree in English from Gorham Teachers College in Maine in 1960. Nancy later pursued graduate studies in guidance and counseling at Boston University, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning.

After college, she returned to Melrose to begin what would become a remarkable teaching career. Nancy first taught fifth grade before moving into the English department at the junior high school, where she inspired seventh and eighth-grade students for more than three decades. Beyond the classroom, she also shared her love of teamwork and leadership by coaching the Melrose High School freshman girls’ basketball team from 1973 to 1978.

Throughout her career, Nancy was known for her dedication to her students, her passion for English, and her belief in the power of education to shape lives. The Nancy Spear Usher Scholarship honors her legacy by supporting future generations of students as they pursue their own educational journeys.