Laura Macey (2019)
2019 Robert Ludwig Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Laura Macey, Family and Consumer Sciences/Culinary Arts teacher at Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy, who was named 2019 Schenectady City School District Teacher of the Year Friday. Superintendent Larry Spring entered Macey’s classroom, with flowers and balloons in hand - and family, friends and media in tow - to make the announcement to Macey and her students.
"I am overwhelmed, surprised, very appreciative, very thankful," said Macey after receiving the news. "Just to know that there is one person that I touched to further their career is just a great feeling."
Macey is a well-respected educator who not only teaches her students life and career skills but is one who goes well above and beyond, is incredibly dedicated, a role-model to her colleagues, has a lasting impact on her students and who some refer to as the “heart of the school.”
Macey started her teaching career nearly 30 years ago after a successful career in retail. She returned to college to earn a Master’s degree and teaching certificate in Family Consumer Science Education as well as four additional teaching certifications in sciences and health. She worked first as a substitute teacher and then a part-time Family Consumer Science (FACS) educator at Schenectady’s Steinmetz and Central Park middle schools. After a year, she was hired full-time as a FACS teacher. She embraced the opportunity to teach culinary arts two years later when co-teaching a foods class and then began building a culinary arts work-based learning program.
Macey teaches five different culinary arts classes at SCLA. Her classroom is an atmosphere that encourages participation and involvement and is considered a high- standard work environment with high expectations. Students learn professionalism, customer service and all aspects of the culinary arts with job skills training.
The CEIP and CTE culinary classes that Macey teaches offer a pathway to graduation for those who struggle in the more traditional classroom. One of Macey’s colleague noted that “culinary is so enjoyable to some students, they admit that it is ‘the only reason they come to school.’
Macey and her students are well-known across the Schenectady City School District. Her students provide food and catering at an array of school and district events including the annual Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation Gala and the Moonlight Serenade for city of Schenectady senior citizens. Catering events occur throughout the school year with as many as three in one day, four consecutive days of events or an all-day Saturday event.
“Laura is an incredibly dedicated teacher to her students and her program,” said James Keough, one of Macey’s colleagues who nominated her for Teacher of the Year honors. “While many people see the ‘front end’ of her operation, most do not understand the tremendous amount of work and prep that she does to keep the programs and events running smoothly.“
Macey begins her day at 5:30 a.m. at the local market, buying groceries for the culinary program. She arrives at school at approximately 6:30 a.m. each day to unload her car, put groceries away and organizes the classroom for daily production. Students arrive at approximately 7:30 a.m. to assist with set-up for the day. At the end of the school day, Macey is often picking up more supplies from local vendors, enrolling in a technology class, viewing a webinar on food trends or updating her curriculum.
Keough noted that she is constantly developing curriculum and working to make it better for her students and that she is dedicated to her own professional growth and learning. “When we talk about making sure that we use a growth mindset, Macey is the model,” said Keough.
Macey’s students trust her, know they have a safe space in her classroom and have learned that what is said in their kitchen stays in the kitchen. Students open themselves up to Macey about school, their classes and their life stories.
“The best way to understand how valuable Ms. Macey is to her students is to hear what they have to say about her,” wrote a colleague. Students say she is a “role model,” “like a second mom,” and “one of the hardest working teachers I have ever had.” Others credit her with introducing them to a career. “Being in her class opened a new world to cooking … and more than just cooking,” said one student. Three students from Macey’s senior class have already decided that they will pursue careers in the culinary field.
Former students continue to thank Macey for the impact that she has had on their lives. One student wrote, “thank you for being an excellent teacher, for pushing me to do more, expecting greatness and not settling for less.” She continued, “It is because of your efforts that I am the citizen that I am today. It is also thanks to you that I am succeeding in my field.”
As district Teacher of the Year, Macey is now eligible to enter the New York State Teacher of the Year contest.
