As "Grandma Manners," retired teacher Ina Van Duyn brings warmth, wisdom, and kindness back to the classroom, visiting students regularly at Mohawk Trails Elementary to read, teach important lessons about respect, and offer cherished hugs. Her visits have become a beloved tradition, and students eagerly look forward to hearing from this retired educator who touched so many lives. 

Ina’s connection to Mohawk Trails runs deep, mainly because of Kelly Meyer, a former student who knew from the moment she sat in Ina’s classroom that she wanted to become a teacher. Now a first-grade teacher, Kelly invited Ina to return to Mohawk Trails as Grandma Manners, wanting her to continue impacting future generations of students. This special bond between them is even more meaningful as both women are breast cancer survivors, celebrating their strength and supporting each other through their journeys.

Ina’s influence, however, extends far beyond Mohawk Trails. For 32 years, she dedicated her career to shaping young minds at Old North, Carmel Elementary, Mohawk Trails Elementary, and Cherry Tree Elementary. Her passion for teaching inspired not just the students she taught directly but also future educators.

Another former student, Catherine Pearsall, is now the assistant principal at Mohawk Trails. The paths of teacher and student have come full circle, with Ina’s impact continuing to resonate throughout the school community.

Ina is well aware of the vast number of students and families she has interacted with over the years. At a recent gathering for Grandma Manners, Ina shared a story that beautifully highlights the depth of her influence. One day, while at a local grocery store, she was giving her contact information to the butcher when she discovered that he, too, was a former student of hers. Later, while recounting the story to a man standing nearby, she learned he was also one of her former students! Though he didn’t remember her by name, he immediately recalled the kindness and passion that Ina had shown him. It was a touching reminder that while names may fade, the impact of a teacher’s compassion and dedication can leave an unforgettable mark on a person’s life.

Though Ina’s teaching days are behind her, her dedication to shaping young minds remains as strong as ever. Through her Grandma Manners tradition and the countless lives she’s touched, Ina Van Duyn proves that the impact of a genuinely great teacher never fades.