t She’s been at it for 50 years

May Day, on the first of May, is traditionally celebrated in the United States by delivering fresh flowers to a neighbor’s doorstep, ringing the bell and running away.

Staff at Sequoyah Middle School had something a little different in mind this year: Mae Day.

Mae Lovern is so well-liked by her fellow teachers at Sequoyah that they decided to celebrate her own Mae Day to coincide with May Day.

They hosted a celebration for Lovern during lunch on Thursday with presents, flowers, punch and lots of desserts.

“This is the first year that I’ve ever been treated like this,” said Lovern, 83, who was given the name Mae for her grandmother.

This year also marks Lovern’s 50th year as a teacher. She has taught at Federal Way and Decatur high schools as well as Totem, Kilo and Sequoyah middle schools.

“She’s just a really sweet lady,” said teacher Betty Beier. “She always has a smile and a kind word.”

Beier noted that Lovern teaches a group of notoriously difficult students.

“She doesn’t give up on them,” she said. “It doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to tear her hair out, but she doesn’t give up on them.”

Teacher Kim Wagner said that Lovern brings a wealth of experience to share with her peers and that she serves as a mentor and a role model.

Lovern blushed like a bride while the staff dished out compliments.

“I’ve never been treated like this,” she said. “People have been kind, but it’s never a whole school.”

Contact Margo Hoffman: mhoffman@fedwaymirror.com