When Martha Strever ’61 ’66g (Adolescence Education: Mathematics) stepped foot onto the SUNY New Paltz campus for the first time as a teenager, little did she know that 64 years later she would be recognized for having the longest career for a female math teacher.  

Strever’s accomplishment was submitted to the Guinness World Records in late 2024, with confirmation expected soon. But she isn’t just excited about potentially claiming one world record, or even two, but three. Records show that Strever also is the longest teacher to have served their entire career at one school, and the longest department chairperson, a world record that was just created. The nominations referenced 20 pieces of evidence from her time at Linden Avenue Middle School in the Red Hook Central School District and far surpass the two current titleholders who have less than 60 years in these roles.  

It adds to her long list of achievements, including being the longest-active teacher in New York, according to records submitted by school districts annually to the state Education Department, and being the longest-active member of New York State United Teachers. She’s been recognized by Education Week, CBS Mornings and local publications for her tireless education career. 

But the records only hint at the true value of her accomplishments: 64 years as an educator means 64 years of showing up, day after day, to improve students’ lives.  

“I don’t know how to accept any of this,” said Strever. “I really don’t. I’m in a dream world because I never thought of anything like this.” 

It all started at SUNY New Paltz 

Strever’s journey as an educator began at the University, where she received the bachelor’s and master’s degrees that led to her certification and career. But New Paltz wasn’t where she had imagined she would attend. Albany was at the front of her mind, but growing up with a mom who was a registered nurse and a dad who was a mechanic meant that she had to follow the path with fewer financial burdens. 

She decided to attend the University in large part due to the Ruth Mack Havens Scholarship, one of the oldest scholarship funds that the SUNY New Paltz Foundation still manages. When Strever wasn’t studying, she was working at the gift shop across from the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, where she even assisted Eleanor Roosevelt. Although she grew up in nearby Hyde Park, she lived on campus full-time, giving her an opportunity to see what it’s like living with other people since she is an only child. 

When she wasn’t studying or working, she dove right into campus life. 

During her time here, Strever filled her plate with extracurriculars: she was a part of the education national honor society Kappa Delta Pi; a member of the Agonian Sorority (the longest-running Greek organization at the University); president of Nu Pi Sigma, an honorary fraternity dedicated to scientific study; business manager of The Oracle student newspaper; and also president of the New Paltz chapter of the Student Education Association of New York State, a professional group for up-and-coming teachers.  

Strever was also an athlete, playing basketball and volleyball at the University, something she says wasn’t afforded the opportunity to do in high school. 

When she graduated from the University with her master’s degree, her grandma gifted Strever her very own class ring, engraved with "MS" for her Master of Science. Strever joked, “I don’t know how my mom got the ring size right.” But she got it perfectly, and ever since then it has rarely come off.  

SUNY New Paltz is near and dear to her heart. She says that her professors inspired her each day, helping shine a light on what a career in the classroom might look like. In fact, she started working at the Red Hook Central School District as a student teacher when she was completing her degree requirements. Similar to nearly choosing a different path than attending SUNY New Paltz, Strever had plans to student teach in Schenectady. Two days before school started, she appealed due to financial circumstances and an ill father. The runner-up: Red Hook.  

“I rushed to get here for student teaching, and I tried to get in the door on the opposite side of the building that is not the door you should enter,” said Strever. “I was banging on the door until someone said, ‘You got to go around.’ I said ‘okay,” and that was my introduction to Red Hook.” 

It’s safe to say she knows the building like the back of her hand today. Ever since then, she’s had just one employer on her resume.  

Over six decades of teaching and counting 

The 2024-2025 school year marks Strever’s 64th year of teaching. Currently, she is teaching special-needs students at Linden Avenue Middle School with colleague Christopher Wood, a first for her in her career. The hardest part about co-teaching? When Wood writes too high up on the board and she can’t erase it because of her short stature. 

The 85-year-old has a robust career at the district, including becoming the first female department chair overseeing math instruction, a position she held for 49 years until the onset of the pandemic.  

During her time teaching, she has taught generations of families, seeing children and even grandchildren walk through the same doors and sit down at the same desks. Even Linden Avenue Middle School’s principal today, Stacie Fenn Smith ’18cas (School Leadership), once sat attentively in Strever’s classroom. Strever also taught Fenn Smith’s daughter, who says Strever is her favorite teacher to this day because of her regimented instruction that shows how math applies to the real world. 

"It took me a long time to call her Martha,” said Fenn Smith. “I have such tremendous respect for Martha that it still doesn’t really feel supervisory, instead it’s collegial. It’s so helpful to have her perspective. It’s as simple as ‘Before we had this blue paneling, what was there?’ but it’s as complex as the general wisdom. Her wisdom has been valuable.” 

That carefully structured classroom and teaching style is usually paired with providing students a clean slate day after day, even if they find themselves in trouble. Fenn Smith describes the method as “unconditional positive regard.” And it works: Strever says years after the fact, she receives holiday cards and sentiments from former students. She considers the Red Hook Central School District like family. 

Despite an increasingly challenging teaching landscape, ever-changing technological needs, and the challenges of learning slowdowns caused by the pandemic, Strever remains dedicated to her career. Retirement isn’t in sight for her any time soon, although she is vigilant about her health. For now, it’s enough that Principal Fenn Smith gives assurance that the district will support her when the time is right to call it done.  

What keeps her coming back year after year? "The happiness,” said Strever. “It’s my family.” 

Returning to the Hawk’s nest 

This past fall, Strever was back on the SUNY New Paltz campus for our annual Alumni Reunion, as the Agonian Sorority celebrated its centennial. It provided a time for reflection for Strever, who remembers her dorm room with four rickety metal beds where she would study under the covers, her peers skipping out on class for Senior Sneak Day and heading into the mountains to study for Earth Science classes. 

Today, the University’s School of Education continues to thrive. Faculty are regularly cited for excellence in teaching, research, and service, including Distinguished Faculty and SUNY Chancellor’s Awards and honors from the Fulbright Program, National Writing Project, Guggenheim Foundation, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. The Department is committed to the betterment of the surrounding community. For example, the Hudson Valley Writing Project, housed at New Paltz, offers high-quality professional development for educators as well as writing camps for youth. The School of Education serves more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, all seeking credentials to become educators and school leaders. Additionally, the School of Education offers courses in educational theory and social justice education to a large number of students across many majors and disciplines on campus. 

“Martha Strever is exemplary – she has dedicated her career to educating and supporting students with exceptional learning needs, helping them realize their full potential,” said Rene S. Parmar, dean of the School of Education. “Her sparkling eyes and gracious smile are evidence of how much she loves her students and her work. Martha demonstrates her leadership through mentoring new teachers and creating a climate of caring throughout the school. We look forward to continuing to learn from her and colleagues like her.” 

When it comes to advice from Strever for those considering a career in teaching, she says to double major if you can, to help provide another career route if teaching doesn’t work out. For those who are headed into the classroom soon, she says it’s important to set the tone, establish expectations first, and then build rapport.  She continues to pass along her expertise, whether it’s to young teachers in the district, or even her local diner’s waitress who is attending SUNY New Paltz for her master’s in education right now. 

While Strever is appreciative of the continued recognition, she hopes the spotlight can soon turn to other teachers who are helping build the next generation of learners.  

“Why me?” said Strever. “There are so many great teachers, and I want them to be recognized, too.”