News-Record.com

Starting her 40th year of teaching at the same school, Mendenhall Middle's Judy Mays has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

Mays' dedication to serving others in the classroom and in the community was recognized recently when she received the prestigous Rhododendron Award from Appalachian State University , her alma mater.

Established in 1999 to recognize exemplary service to education and community, the award is the highest honor given by the school's Reich College of Education .

"I like to present awards, but it's funny to be on the receiving end," said Mays. "I was shocked and honored."

These days, Mays, 60, teaches Exploring Business and Career Awareness at Mendenhall Middle, but she also has taught home economics, industrial arts and typing.

Mays also works part time at Sears , and she devotes herself to community service. Her volunteer work over the years includes teaching Sunday school and serving on numerous committees at her church, Vandalia Presbyterian , as well as helping with Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and Crop Walk. She also serves as an officer of the National Railway Historical Society and helps with Mendenhall's Computer Club, Career Club and athletics.

Though the list could go on, fellow teacher and longtime friend Marcia Spivey said it's the small, often unnoticed things Mays does that make her so special.

"She is a teacher who goes more than the extra mile by staying late with students who are left without a ride home," Spivey said. "She fills in for other teachers when her schedule allows. She makes sure the bus drivers and custodian have something at Christmastime, and she takes plants to teachers who are sick. She is a caring friend who always puts others before herself."

Although Mays was surprised by the award, friends such as Spivey weren't surprised. "She will go out of her way to help anyone in need," Spivey said.

Mays said her desire to teach dates back as far as she can remember.

"My favorite aunts were teachers, and I loved helping the younger children in the neighborhood with reading and math," she said.

Mays said she never dreamed, though, that she would spend her entire teaching career at the same school.

"I felt at home from the beginning at Mendenhall," Mays said. "I love the students there."

Mays said she especially loves that Mendenhall has students from all socio-economic levels and from all over the world. She also teaches special needs children in her classes.

"It makes your spirit soar when you have children who have never held a mouse or used the computer learn the English language and use the technology," Mays said.

A bundle of energy who enjoys interacting with her students, Mays never sits down when students are in her class.

"I'm always up walking around, trying to help," she said. "A teacher's greatest success is if their students are successful."

One of the biggest changes she's experienced in her career is the advancement of technology.

"When I first started, computers weren't used in schools. We used manual typewriters, and then in the early 1980s we got Apple computers," Mays said. "We had a class of 30 students with maybe six computers, whereas now we have 22 IBM computers ."

Mays said her classes are designed to prepare students to pass the eighth-grade computer competency test, as well as prepare them for the work world. Students learn about spreadsheets, Power Point presentations and word processing, as well as TV production and how to compose a newsletter.

Looking to the future, Mays said she has no plans to retire from teaching or serving in the community.

"I love teaching and seeing the children soar," she said. "Plus, I'd love to do more volunteer work, especially with Habitat. I think we need to give back to the community to make the world a better place."

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer.brown@news-record.com