Theresa “Mrs. Ibby” Ibbotson was born on October 28, 1954, in Glens Falls to Henry and Hilda Pratt. Her family includes five sisters, Diane, Barbara, Martha, Kay, and Susan, and three brothers, Larry, and David, and Hudson Falls football standout Robert.
Theresa attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and received The Monsignor Kiffin Memorial Award. She taught church school and was a counselor for the Junior Catholic Daughters. While at Hudson Falls High School she sang in the choir, was in Library Service for three years, and played girls’ softball. She graduated in 1973. Theresa still keeps in touch with “The Lunch Bunch”, close school friends she still sees once a month.
Mrs. Ibby married Craig Ibbotson in 1973 and had two wonderful sons, Craig and Michael, who also attended Hudson Falls Schools. She was a Den Mother and homeroom mom and, along with Mrs. Hafner, made breakfast for the football team. Additionally, Mrs. Ibby has proudly supported children with William Syndrome.
In 1979 Mrs. Ibby began a career in Early Childhood Education. She earned her Child Development Associate Credential, with Mr. William Goodrich as her advisor. She was on the executive board of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC) for 16 years, both as Treasurer and Chairperson of the annual Children’s Festival.
Theresa was a Recipient of the 1999 Award given to one who has strengthened the foundations of the Early Childhood community through the North Country Association for Education of Young Children (NCAEYC). She was also a Recipient of a 2016 Women of Distinction Award from the New York State Assembly, presented by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
Later, Mrs. Ibby was the Assistant Director at the Learning School in Hudson Falls. She also taught at the Bluebirds Nest in GF, Apple A Day in Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga Independent School.
She retired after 38 years of teaching and still lives in Hudson Falls with her husband and son Mike; Craig lives out of town with his lovely wife Jessica.