Each year Maclay has a school wide auction that involves student art. This is a collaborative piece with Katy Caughran and all of the Maclay Lower School students (Cathy Hicks). This piece has a special meaning to many of us as Katy is an alum of Maclay. Her mom, Marty Kiser, is the Lower School Head. And, this is her year to retire. Marty has been a mentor to me and Cathy and a huge supporter of the arts over the years...no wonder her daughter is talented!
We have recently blogged on Katy, check it out at the link below:
About Marty Kiser from our school blog https://www.maclay.org/Page/5889:
Maclay School announces the upcoming retirement of long-time Head of Lower School, Mrs. Marty Kiser. Mrs. Kiser graduated from Appalachian State University in 1975 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She continued her education with graduate work at The College of William and Mary and in 2005 she received an M.A.Ed. from the University of Phoenix.
Kiser shared, “I will be forever grateful for my time at Maclay School. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with a phenomenal faculty and incredibly supportive families. It has been such a privilege to be a member of the Maclay community. Retirement comes just as our first grandchild arrives. With a new grandchild, the opportunity to travel and the time to revive neglected hobbies, retirement promises to be an exciting new chapter.”
Mrs. Kiser started at Maclay in 1995 as a fourth-grade teacher. During her time here at Maclay she taught fourth grade for six years, first grade for four years, was the JV cheerleading coach, sponsored JV tennis, supervised the mentoring program and has been Head of the Lower School for thirteen years.
When Kiser was asked about her proudest accomplishments, she stated, “My proudest accomplishment has been the ability to encourage and foster an environment where the teachers enthusiastically engage in new methods and strategies and embrace change with excitement. It has been a rewarding experience to see the success of such a dedicated faculty.”
Maclay’s Assistant Head of School and Upper School Director Charles Beamer reflected, “Over the course of Mrs. Kiser’s tenure as a classroom teacher and Lower School Director, she has shaped our Lower School in countless ways. Her collaborative leadership style with faculty and her passion for students has created an atmosphere in our Lower School that is inspiring and unstoppable. Thank you, Marty and I wish you well in your retirement!”
Kiser has overseen significant changes to the Lower School facilities and curriculum over the years. Over a thousand of Maclay alumni have passed through her care. “Marty has maintained a harmony and steadiness in the Lower School that has established a culture of love and care that is unmatched in Tallahassee. Parents choose our Lower School because of their confidence in the education and the care that Marty has developed in the faculty of the Lower School. Replacing her spirit will be a challenge but she has set the school up very well for a transition” said Maclay’s Head of School, James Milford.
A search for Kiser’s replacement is already underway which is being led by Head of School James Milford and a committee of Maclay faculty and staff members. “Our goal is to put in place a thorough and inclusive nationwide search process to find and vet the right leader to meet the high expectations of the director’s position,” Milford said.
Each student in lower school helped to paint this piece. Katy created the white canvas and added the texture for our students embellish with color.
Look for Katy's logo / brand on social media. You will be glad you did.
The painting was a huge success at our school's auction Passport To Paradise. It was lovely having her contribute in this way especially with this being her mom's last year with us at Maclay. Yes, Cathy and I are trying to convince her to come back and sub for us, Ha!
Thank you for both being an inspiration in the arts here at Maclay and for being such awesome women to call friends and mentors.
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