Below are the words of then-Board of Education Vice President Darlene Upcraft as she honored the recipients of the Proud to be MACS honor for July and August, presented at the June Board of Education meeting.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation as we bid a fond farewell to Sue Teifke this evening, as she is retiring from the Board after nine years of dedicated service.

Sue has long been an active and valued member of the MACS community, volunteering in her children’s classrooms and serving as a highly engaged member of the Sports Boosters.

Therefore, it came as no surprise when she joined the Board in July 2017. Sue immediately immersed herself in her role, demonstrating both enthusiasm and a strong commitment to learning, quickly becoming a knowledgeable and effective board member.

On behalf of the Board, it is my honor to present Sue with a certificate recognizing a commemorative brick that will be placed in the high school front walkway in appreciation of her service.

In addition, Sue Teifke has been selected as the Proud to be MACS honoree for August 2026. I would like to share a brief overview of her remarkable contributions and background.

Sue is a lifelong resident of Mexico and a proud graduate of MACS, Class of 1981. She completed the cosmetology program at Oswego County BOCES — now known as CiTi (Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation) — and has been the owner of Ye Olde Hair Shoppe since 1983, where she has built lasting relationships with her clients through her professionalism, expertise and attentive listening.

Sue also served as treasurer of the MACS Sports Booster Club for nine years. She met her husband, Tim, while attending school; Tim graduated from MACS in 1980. Recently, Sue and Tim have embarked on a new venture as campground owners at Dowie Dale Beach.

Together, Sue and Tim have raised three children—Tiffany, Ryan, and Macy—who graduated from MACS in 2007, 2009, and 2012, respectively. They are now proud grandparents to Zachary (15, a 9th-grade student at MACS), Reagan (6, a 1st-grade student in New Haven), Carolyn (3, who will attend UPK next school year), Lainey (1), Calvin (2 months) and they are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their sixth grandchild this July.

Throughout her time on the Board, Sue contributed to numerous committees, including Finance, Districtwide School Safety and the MACSFA Advisory Committee, among others.

She exemplifies a true spirit of volunteerism. When the high school gymnasium required painting and new banners to be installed, Sue could be found on a forklift, paintbrush in hand, and a smile on her face. She led the effort to ensure the banners were completed, never stopping until the final one was hung.

I asked Sue the same questions which I asked Jim, and below are her responses.

What is your favorite memory while a student at MACS: It is the pep rally nights after the football game we would have a huge bonfire.

What is your best memory of being on the Board: Is the night I came to the High School tour and could not find the board. Jeremy Belfield was there and I told him I was late for the tour. Jeremy then said that he would give me a tour. He told me his favorite place was the bell tower. So, we went in and rang the bell and then we went on the roof. The view on the roof was just amazing. I will never forget it, it was breathtaking. Then we finally found the rest of the group, and I got to tour it once again.

What she will miss most being on the board: Is the friendships that I have with you all. You have become my board family that I have been able to ask questions and not feel uncomfortable asking them. I will miss the conversations, and the laughs. I thank you all for that. It’s been a good nine years. I will say many people think this a thankless job, but I have never felt that way. The pay is not the best (BOE members are unpaid volunteers) but it’s a rewarding job!

What won’t she miss: Is the late-night meetings. No shocker there! Maybe I won’t have bags under my eyes on Fridays!!!

Finally, what will she do with his extra time: Will be spending time with my grandbabies. Sharing those special moments with them, moments that I could not do for the fact that I had meetings at the same time. Maybe I will even read more books.

Sue, you will be deeply missed. On behalf of the Board and the entire MACS community, thank you for your nine years of dedicated service to our students. It is with great pleasure that we, the Board, recognize you as our Proud to be MACS recipient for August 2026.