On a beautiful Friday evening, May 1, at the Chilmark Community Center, Adult and Community Education (ACE) founder and longtime Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) teacher Lynn Ditchfield went out in style among family, friends, and colleagues.
“Let us have a lovely meal, dessert, and toast our friend Lynn Ditchfield,” said ACE board member Julie Hitchings at the opening of post-dinner speeches, with the music of Sterling Bishop in the background.
Many retired high school teachers were in attendance, as well as current Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. James Weiss and Chilmark Selectman Warren Doty.
“Luminaries of the education world on the Island are here,” said ACE Program Director Sam Hart.
“This is Lynn’s big night,” added former MVRHS Principal Peg Regan.
Chris and Barbara Murphy were also among the adoring crowd. They’ve been friends with Ms. Ditchfield for 40 years; Mrs. Murphy was a colleague of Lynn’s at MVRHS.
Ms. Ditchfield has been an educator for most of her career, including a 15-year tenure at MVRHS as a Spanish teacher from 1983 to 2008. During that time she received the 2006 American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, an Arts/Learning Award for Advocacy, was a Fulbright exchange teacher in Argentina, and appeared in three editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
She started ACE in 2008, and operated it out of her home for years.
“I tried to meet the needs of what was going on in the early-childhood program,” said Ms. Ditchfield, who is credited with rejuvenating an existing adult-education program.
“We have done a lot of work together,” said Debbie Milne, director of the early-childhood programs. “She helped get the classes here from Cape Cod Community College, so a lot of my early-childhood teachers could get their associate’s degree.”
“Lynn snagged me to teach,” said ACE Chairman of the Board Judy Miller. “I had just retired from teaching, and I did not want to go back into a high school, but I ended up teaching the GED class through ACE.”
In the spring of 2013, Lynn realized that she needed more financial backing. A task force was formed with four board members. A year ago, the board asked for and received $90,000 from the six Island towns. Last month, the board asked the towns again for money and received the requested $50,000.
“Having been an MVRHS teacher, Ms. Ditchfield noticed that the adult-education programs had dwindled, so her retirement gift to the community was to see if she could put it together,” said Ms. Miller.
Last summer Sam Hart was hired to be the ACE director, and Lynn became the program director.
“It’s been a great year with a lot of growth,” said Mr. Hart, who grew up in Chilmark and attended the original Chilmark School at the old police station. “We’re on much better financial footing, and our program is expanding in workforce development and higher education.”
“I’m not going to be an administrator, for sure,” said Ms. Ditchfield when asked what was next for her. “I will be a grandma and continue to teach. I hope to breathe and do some creative work, whatever that is.”
“Don’t spoil the surprise,” said ACE Director Sam Hart, “but we are giving her free classes for life!”
Mike Ditchfield, Lynn’s husband, was present for the big event honoring his wife. “He’s involved because his wife is so involved,” Ms. Ditchfield said when asked if her husband Mike is involved in ACE. “He’s been amazing through everything and has stayed with me!” Ms. Ditchfield said, laughing.
“If you look around the room, these are all people who Lynn lured into the organization to help her,” said Ms. Miller.
“This night really is to honor Lynn’s legacy, and everything she has done for the community and by creating ACE,” said Mr. Hart.
“It is an amazing thing Lynn started,” said Ms. Milne.