LAMS' Martha Strever presented AFT Lifetime Achievement Award in Washington

Martha Strever, Linden Avenue Middle School’s math teacher of 65 years, was presented with the American Federation of Teachers Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual convention in Washington D.C. last month.
“It’s a wonderful honor,” said Strever, the longest-serving active teacher in New York and the longest active member of New York State United Teachers. “To be recognized at the nationwide level? Unbelievable. It could put me in tears just thinking, ‘Why me?’”
Strever was honored on July 17 as part of the four-day conference held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Jaime Ciffone, the executive vice president of NYSUT, introduced Strever as someone who has “managed to fit more than two careers into one remarkable lifetime of service.”
The teacher then spoke to the thousands of educators in attendance in a brief acceptance speech, before hugging Ciffone and AFT president Randi Weingarten.
“There are so many fantastic teachers in front of me right now,” she said, “and – how can I be the person standing in front of you being honored like this? It's just unbelievable. Thinking of when I started teaching, would I ever think of being here today?
“I thank every one of you, and especially the people in NYSUT,” she said.
LAMS Principal Dr. Stacie Fenn Smith accompanied Strever – her former teacher as a student at the school – to the convention.
“It was just an honor to be part of it,” the principal said. “It was really special. After her award was announced, everywhere we went people were recognizing her and congratulating her and wanting a photo. … It was really like being with a celebrity.”
Red Hook Faculty Association President April Montgomery and First Vice President Kyle Pogemiller-Kermani, both LAMS teachers, were also in attendance celebrating the award with their colleague.
When she learned of the award in May, Strever said “it took me off my feet. I almost burst into tears.”
Her time at the LAMS building officially began in 1961, before Red Hook High School or Mill Road elementary were built, though she also was a student-teacher at the school the previous year. In 1971 she became Red Hook’s math department chair – the district’s first female department head – a position she held for 49 years. During that time, she played a key role in modernizing the school district, helping to bring in computers and teach staff, after taking special classes to learn how to use them herself.
She said the AFT award shows she’s recognized as someone who has been able to teach a wide range of children in math and science, be it accelerated students or those who may need special assistance.
“I’ve been able to help students who, in some cases, say, ‘I’ll never learn the math,’” she said, reflecting on the award. “When I hear ‘lifetime achievement,’ it sounds like I tried to achieve it all my life. I didn’t stop.”
As for that longevity, the teacher credits the Red Hook atmosphere and her LAMS colleagues.
"It is the whole district," Strever said. "This has been special."
Locally, Strever has long been celebrated as making an immeasurable impact on generations of students. Not only has she taught some of her students’ grandparents, but many of the Red Hook Central School District’s current staff members.
Her unprecedented career began gaining broader attention in the 2024-25 school year, when she was featured in such outlets as “Education Week,” on television on “CBS Mornings,” by USA Today as one of its 2025 Women of the Year, and several other organizations. She was also honored with a Certificate of Recognition from the state Education Department and at the State Capital as part of the Legislative Women’s Caucus’ annual Women’s History Month celebration.
“Martha Strever has been a constant not only as an adept instructor for seven decades of students, but an innovative department leader and a trusted mentor and friend to so many of our staff members,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden said. “That lifelong dedication is worthy of the deepest gratitude, and we congratulate Martha on being recognized nationally with this well-deserved AFT honor.”
Watch a video of the presentation to Strever at this link, beginning at the 2:40:00 mark.