Despite challenges, Mae’s school remains an institution of excellence – Administrator

Jun 14, 2016 News

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“We take our motto ‘For Excellence We Aspire, For Excellence We Strive’ very seriously. We assure our parents and students that our commitment to that goal has never wavered, nor will it ever waver.” This assertion was recently

made by Interim Administrator of Mae’s School, Ms. Stacey French.

Her disclosure follows on the heels of a series of negative reports publicized in the media about the school.
Situated at Third Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, Mae’s School caters to the education needs of children from play school to the secondary level. It has been in existence for 24 years. French has made it pellucid that an institution does not enjoy that level of longevity without change, and without its share of issues.
“We have certainly had our challenges, but we continue to strive for excellence, and our commitment to our students will never waver,” she asserted.
And it has been this commitment, French noted, that has allowed the school to maintain laudable results over the years. She pointed out that the school’s Grade Six scholastic record for instance shows that it has consistently produced achievers among the country’s top 10, with 21 students from Mae’s School succeeding to be among the top one per cent in the nation last year.
“We have also realized high success at the secondary level with consistent 90 per cent passes in several subjects,” French shared.
“We’ve seen success, and like every family, as a school, we’ve also had our challenges. However, we genuinely believe in what we are doing and why we place emphasis on the attainment of excellence at each and every level, keeping our objectives in mind and our students, parents and faculty at heart,” she added.
French made it clear that the Administration of Mae’s School will never ignore a situation where a parent believes someone at a higher level in the institution has disrespected him.
Not so long ago several frustrated parents shared concerns they had with the School.
This development was linked to reports of teachers attached to the school being mistreated. There were also several letters publicized in the newspaper detailing acts of mistreatment to teachers at the school.
But according to French, “what I do ask is that the matter be raised with me directly instead of writing a letter in the newspaper…Communication within the Mae’s family has my attention and we are committed to continuous improvements.”
But there have been some letters in favour of the school too. However, French made it clear that the administration would never force teachers to write a letter in the paper in its defence and threaten their jobs if they didn’t.
The Administrator took solace in the fact that “just as letter writers have been given the opportunity to express their concerns, why can we not acknowledge and respect the fact that there are individuals amongst our staff who have a different view?”
According to French, teachers are never mistreated because of their point of view. “If a teacher is continuously not giving of his or her best, is missing classes without notice, is disrespectful to fellow staff or not following the policies and procedures of Mae’s Schools, I will let them know.”
On the other hand, she noted that teachers who are dedicated and show initiative are recognized, sometimes in a general forum, for their efforts.
“I believe that parents and students deserve the best from us, and I will not apologise for any difficult conversations that have to occur when we are failing at delivering that level of excellence. I do promise, however, that we are working to increase and improve our direct communication, among our faculty and with our parents and students; this is a priority,” French stressed.
She added, too, that the Mae’s School is one that takes pride in hiring teachers based on experience and dedication to students and not ethnicity. And according to her, “anyone who suggests differently is reaching. Diversity is valued here,” she added.
French assumed the post of Director at the school last year. She disclosed, “I have worked in a corporate environment, managed people and benefitted from exposure and experience.”
Her professional career started as an Actuary with Arthur Andersen, an American holding company. She then moved into real estate finance.
She spent the last 15 years in Maryland, United States, where she served as Vice President/Senior Underwriter for several banks, more recently Capital One Bank and Wells Fargo. During that time, she held leadership positions in training staff and performed due diligence for more than US$100 million in real estate transactions annually.
But according to French, “The fact that I am not a teacher in no way negates my ability to lead or make strategic decisions. It does not take five, 10, 15 years to make a positive change, and I dare anyone to deny that positive changes are not already being seen under my leadership.”
French insisted, “I cannot, and will not, dwell on the past. My job, and my passion, is to get us to a successful future – on behalf of our students, their parents and our faculty.”
“I took the dual role at Mae’s School because I wanted to return home and give back to Guyana. I want to further shape and direct an institution that has served as a pinnacle of excellence in education in Guyana for many years – an institution that will always be my mother’s legacy. The School runs as a family unit – and you do what you must to look after your family,” French asserted.

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