The end of the 2020-2021 school year also marked the end of some MLEC teachers’ careers. Mr. Boulay, a veteran math teacher at MLEC since the school’s inception in 2000, is one of them, and as he prepares to retire, we reflect on his long career as a teacher.
“We started here together, we were the original teachers. The school opened in 2000, so I’ve known him for 21 years” says Mr. O’Brien. “We just hit it off right away, everywhere I go I just hit it off with somebody and he was the person I hit it off with… like brothers from another mother.”
When Boulay immigrated to America from his homeland in Haiti, he had no intention of becoming a teacher, but it was one of the few jobs available to immigrants. Fortunately, his circumstances led Boulay to enter the field of education, and he has since impacted the lives of every student who has entered his classroom.
“I didn’t choose teaching, teaching chose me. When I entered this country back in 1982 the only path for me to get an education was through a special program for non [English] speaking teachers and that’s how I ended up being a math teacher.”
Boulay has witnessed and been a part of the school’s growth and development since since he took his first step on the MLEC campus. As the head of the math department, his guidance and knowledge have resulted in the growth of students’ math abilities and the school’s math scores being among the highest in our district.
“One of the best memories I can recall is when I got my results back from my students and I outperformed the schools that were competing with us,” says Mr. Boulay.
Mr. Boulay is highly regarded by his colleagues in the math department, particularly by neighboring teachers Ms. Desire and Mr. O’brien, who formed a long-lasting friendship right in the middle of Building 5’s hallway. They all tell the same story of a wise man who was dedicated to his students and was always there for the other teachers.
“He’s brilliant, as a teacher, he’s very smart, he thinks out of the box, and his mathematical knowledge is always impressive to me. As an individual, he’s very supportive, and he’s been very supportive as a department chair from a professional perspective and always willing to help…” says Ms. Desire.
“[Mr. Boulay] prizes his students’ learning and cares about what he teaches and I appreciate that. Because it’s not just about a grade, for us, it is about students understanding math, understanding the subject that we’re trying to teach them, and developing critical thinking skills… and I appreciate that in him,” continued Ms. Desire.
Mr. Boulay, despite his tough exterior, has also shown love to his colleagues and wishes them the best as he departs.
“[Ms. Desire and Mr. O’Brien] are veteran teachers so I think right now they are well set to perform at their highest level. Those two teachers and I are close and we intend to stay close even when I’m not here teaching.”
Mr. Boulay’s dedication to teaching has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues, and it is something that anyone cannot help but admire.
“Dedication, sticktoitiveness, sometimes there’s a difficult problem and he can work it out, he has a lot of insight… He’s a good leader, I would say that’s his biggest impact and he’s dedicated to that, to running the math. He shows us what’s to be expected.” added Mr. O’Brien.
Students from all years and academies, like teachers, attest to Mr. Boulay’s quality teaching and dedication.
“I would describe Boulay as a very sophisticated teacher; he is very intelligent as well as greatly educated since he knows many different languages. Also, he is very supportive and he encourages students to work hard. My experience in Boulay’s class was full of very good memories. Boulay took his time to teach each student and he used different ways to teach, just so every student had the opportunity to learn” says Jessica Suarez, a junior in the Health Academy.
Students this year were unable to attend his class in person due to circumstances beyond their control. Students agree, however, that his dedication was not only palpable through a screen, but that his commitment to helping his students learn never wavered.
Mr. Boulay was Annabelle Ballate’s AICE Math teacher this year, and she says, “Boulay was great during online school; he tried his best to make the most of the situation, and it felt like he put his energy into teaching online the same amazing way he teaches at school.”
As students come and go through Mr. Boulay’s class, his influence leaves an enormous impact on them, just as it did on the rest of his colleagues and the math department. As Boulay bids farewell to MLEC, it’s safe to say he’ll be sorely missed.
“He’s been a great support, whether it’s talking to administration about supplies we need, helping us on how to approach different problems, or even what we’re doing with our classes. I mean, the support from the workplace has been great and it will be missed,” says Ms. Desire.
“I’ll miss his loud voice. You could always hear Boulay down the hall. I will miss that voice. You just miss people, and you don’t realize that until they’re not there, but when they’re not there, you say, “Damn, I wish Boulay was here man, we could’ve done XYZ.” Mr. O’Brien concludes.
Mr. Boulay is no longer with us at MLEC, but his parting words will live on.
“To my students, I have a lot to tell them. You need to realize that you are at the level where you are being prepared to become adults, and whichever path you choose now is going to determine your success tomorrow. One thing my students always tend to worry about are grades; I’m not teaching for grades. I’m teaching to develop you into a well-rounded person capable of solving any problem that arises in your future.”
