Mrs. Mace's Odyssey: A 45-Year Journey of Education Comes to a Close

For nearly 28 years Mrs. Mace has stood as a cornerstone of the English department at John Jay, but as the school year comes to a close, so too does her career as an English teacher.  As she prepares to retire, we reflect and celebrate a fruitful career that has spanned 45 years and touched the lives of thousands of students and families. Her journey as an educator and great passion for teaching is to be admired, and she is sure to leave a lasting legacy well beyond her years spent at John Jay. 

Growing up, Mrs. Mace never envisioned becoming a teacher; it seemed far removed from her life goals. However, her experiences with less-than-ideal English teachers ignited a compelling desire to provide her future students with the quality education she had missed. This experience paired with encouragement from her college peers, who frequently sought her help with editing their papers due to her natural writing talent, gave her the final push to pursue a career in teaching, specifically in English.

Mrs. Mace's academic journey began at Roy C. Ketcham High School, where she graduated in 1975. She then attended SUNY Albany, earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Psychology in 1980, followed by a master's in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 1982.

Following graduation, Mrs. Mace initially planned to work as a missionary, teaching at mission schools abroad. However, health circumstances redirected her path, leading her to teach at various Christian schools from 1982 to the early 1990s. At these schools, she had the opportunity to design her own curriculum, adhering to international baccalaureate standards. Despite the challenges of teaching nine separate classes across a range of subjects beyond English, she viewed it as a valuable learning experience that set the foundation for her teaching career. However, the lack of financial stability and insurance eventually led her to transition to teaching in public schools.

In 1994, Mrs. Mace began her public school teaching career at Roy C. Ketcham High School, her alma mater. For the next two years, she split her time teaching between Ketcham and John Jay High School. However, in 1996, she was offered a permanent position at John Jay. She accepted the offer and has been teaching there ever since, a tenure that has now spanned 28 years.

Mrs. Mace's influence at John Jay has been significant, to say the least. She introduced the teaching of The Odyssey to the English department curriculum and ensured that students in Regents classes received the same level of care and opportunity as those in honors classes. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the classroom and exploring the larger world. "There is a much bigger world beyond the classroom and the town in which you live," she stresses, encouraging students to engage with the bigger questions of life through literature.

She firmly believes in the powerful tool that literature can be for understanding. "Literature is such a great vehicle for understanding human nature and why history happens, why we do the things we do, and it just opens up so many conversations about the world," she explains. Mrs. Mace strives to make literature real, relevant, and fun, drawing parallels between literature and life to help students learn and grow. Throughout her career, Mrs. Mace has maintained high expectations for her students while also recognizing their individual starting points. She believes that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that collaborative efforts are essential for improvement. Her classroom demeanor balances sternness with care, establishing clear boundaries and academic standards.

Over her 45-year career, Mrs. Mace has witnessed significant changes in education. She is critical of the data-driven nature of modern education, feeling that it has shifted the focus from teaching skills to treating students as numbers. "The data-driven nature of education has harmed it," she asserts. However, she acknowledges the positive aspects, noting the increased resources available to help students understand literature and the creative potential of digital tools, including AI (when used properly).

Beyond academics, Mrs. Mace cherishes the deep connections she forms with her students. She delights in those post-class moments when students feel comfortable staying to chat, fostering a sense of trust. Many former students, now successful in various fields, return to express their gratitude for her influence on their lives. Some have even been inspired to follow in her footsteps as educators. Reflecting on her impactful career, Mrs. Mace acknowledges how teaching has enriched her as a person, “I'm a better human being for being a teacher, because I've had to see so many different people, so many different ways of thinking and life.” Through her interactions with students, she has gained insights into human nature and has cultivated empathy and understanding that has helped her grow not only as an educator, but as a person.

As Mrs. Mace leaves behind her career in teaching, she shares invaluable advice with current and future educators. "Don't give up and love the kids," she emphasizes, the importance of perseverance and genuine care in the teaching profession, viewing teaching as a noble calling, imparting upon teachers the responsibility to positively impact their students' lives. "If we live up to that responsibility, we can change the world," she passionately asserts. Her words encapsulate a career dedicated not only to imparting knowledge but also to fostering compassion, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in her students.

As she enters retirement, Mrs. Mace shows no signs of slowing down. Her plans include traveling to Paris with her daughter, tending to her garden, walking her dog, playing guitar, practicing yoga, and indulging in extensive reading. Despite retiring from full-time teaching, she hopes to remain active in education by mentoring new teachers and supporting student-teachers as they embark on their own careers.

Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Mace shares some parting words of wisdom: "Life is hard, but life is good. Be good to yourself, and be kind to others." Her legacy at John Jay is defined by dedication, passion, and the countless lives she has touched. Her journey as an educator serves as an inspiration, illustrating the profound impact a committed and caring teacher can have. As she enters the next chapter of her life, her influence is sure to resonate through the generations of students she has taught and inspired. We wish her all the best!