MESSMER TODAY Sum - Messmer Catholic Schools

MS. MARILYN MATHAYA REFLECTION ON A LEGENDARY TEACHERby LeRoy Fullwood ‘97Ms. Marily Mathay with her former student, LeRoy Fullwood ‘97Marilyn Mathay has been a math teacher at Messmer High School since1986. In those 25 years, she has taught thousands of high school studentsthe fundamentals of mathematics, but her legacy reaches far beyondpolynomials and logarithms. Mr. LeRoy Fullwood ‘97, Assistant Dean ofStudents at Messmer High School, reflects upon the lessons he learned as astudent in Ms. Mathay’s class.I had the honor of being enrolled inMs. Marilyn Mathay’s class when I wasa Messmer student. From day one inher class, she made it very clear to everystudent that our education was moreimportant than the latest gossip. It wasmore important than our immaturity.And it was definitely more importantthan our dislike for mathematics—ifyou were indeed silly enough to dislikemathematics.“I was one of the silly students whoactually disliked pre-calculus, but mydislike was outweighed by my love forlearning instilled by my parents.Ms. Mathay nurtured that love, as allgood teachers should.”–LeRoy Fullwood ‘97Although Ms. Mathay may have madeus aware of her expectations verbally, itwas her actions, not her words, whichleft the indelible impression on each ofus who sat in those desks. She demandedwe put in hard work and dedicationto improve in class. She demanded itthrough her presence. She arrived toMessmer early everyday. She stayed lateevery night.Ms. Mathay stayed late because sheknew we needed help with our work. Shestayed late because she wanted to makesure every student who cared to improvedid just that. I know I speak for nearly allof Ms. Mathay’s students past and presentwhen I say it only felt natural to put inlong hours to improve upon mathematicsskills.I was one of the silly students whoactually disliked pre-calculus, but mydislike was outweighed by my love forlearning instilled by my parents. Ms.Mathay nurtured that love, as all goodteachers should. Ms. Mathay had thepatience to meet with me before school,during my resource period (resourceroom in those days were held everyday).during my free class period and afterschool.I viewed pre-calculus as a worthyopponent trying to bring down mygrade point average, and me! Ms.Mathay helped me believe I could beatmy opponent. She is also the one whohelped realize the opponent was not precalculus,but only my self-doubt in myfull potential as a student.But I do not consider the mathematicsI learned nearly as important as the lifelessons I practiced during my senioryear. These lessons I will carry with methroughout my life:1. You do not quit something becauseit is hard.2. If you want something, put in thetime and effort to achieve your goal.3. There is great reward in knowing yougave something your all, regardless ofthe outcome of your efforts.Ms. Mathay did not tell us these things;she lived them. She continues to be ashining example to the students and staffof Messmer High School. If you speakto alumni that graduated in the 80’s,90’s or even as recent as June they willall tell you the same thing. No one hasdedicated more time and been more of aninspiration than Marilyn Mathay.In my work with students today, I hopeand pray I inspire them and hold themto the same high standards I was held tomany years ago.MESSMER TODAY 9