In it for the long-haul!

It’s like career day in elementary school, all the police officers, firefighters, and astronauts come in and talk to you about what they do, and what you can do when you’re “grown up.” It wasn’t a police officer, firefighter, or nurse that Mrs. Mytar wanted to do - but the desire was in publishing. Newspaper publishing. MAM envisioned herself writing for a big-time newspaper, in a big-time city, publishing magnificent articles - really putting to good use her interest in journalism. 

MAM has 6 total years of college education under her belt - a 4 year bachelor degree, and a 2 year masters degree with a specialty in reading at a secondary level. At the beginning of a 43 year long-haul in the field of education, MAM started out teaching reading and journalism, and has had experience teaching those subjects at other schools as well. MAM spent a few years at a rural school in Corinth, then moving on to spend one year at Central High School, which is also in Corinth. After spending one year at Central, she, again, was in it for the long-haul, and settled down at the one-and-only, Bucksport High School where she would put in 40+ years. Not knowing that she was going to spend over forty years in the classroom, MAM’s education career started out when she was in college. A ‘service activity’ was required and Mrs. Mytar tutored a seventh grade girl who couldn’t read fluently, she loved the environment, loved the “overall” and after having a chat with her college advisor, learned she could teach journalism and reading, and that’s where the rubber meets the road! 

In the many years, MAM has taught many different courses, many different subjects, and has overcome many career-making challenges. Her experience ranges from teaching journalism, reading, numerous Advanced Placement and honors courses, and now spending only half her time teaching and the other half coordinating the BARR grant program at BHS.

Now, besides all that Mrs. Mytar does while in school, the list only gets longer when she is spending time with family. On the weekends, she isn’t found grading papers, but spending time with her husband, visiting with her granddaughter Rita, or in the summer months she will likely be found in the garden. 

Mrs. Mytar and her husband have been married for 43 years, and dated for five years before being married - as she said, “we’ve known each other for a long time!” MAM and her husband, Marc have two daughters: Jennifer and Misha. Mrs. Mytar also has been on many interesting trips out of the country, as well as trips out of the state. Given Marc’s work with American University, they have had the opportunity to travel to Bulgaria, they were able to tour the entire country and visit many interesting places. One interesting place MAM visited was Taiwan. MAM went to Taiwan to attend her daughter’s wedding ceremony.

When at home, on the weekends, Mrs. Mytar and her husband enjoy doing carpentry, house renovations, and again, working in her garden. She also spends a tremendous amount of time with her family, including having Sunday dinner with family each week. Other than the tradition of family dinner, Mrs. Mytar also has a tradition of getting her nails done every other Friday. She’s also an avid reader and always has a book on tape. Lastly, Mrs. Mytar also heavily enjoys playing golf with her husband, as well as going out with friends. 

When asked “What’s your fondest, most memorable experience while in the classroom?” the response referenced MAM’s first year teaching journalism at BHS. MAM’s newspaper team took it on themselves to break into school and spend their weekend finishing the first issue of the newspaper so they could surprise Mrs. Mytar when she arrives early Monday morning. For clarification, she says, the students were able to get into school as this was when Mr. Jones came in to do his laundry here - perfect opportunity for some newspaper time! Those 25 students on the newspaper team, and that year of journalism was so memorable to MAM that images of the work-party are still posted on her wall. 

It is her intention to spend one more school year at BHS, then retire and devote time to Rita and her novel which is in progress. MAM’s plans are to spend a lot of time with family, but to put a serious focus on writing a novel. She is also interested learning more about photography skills.