By Sabrina Wang ’23 and Stephanie Chen ’23
When English teacher Mr. Ed McCatty came to Choate in 1992, he had not expected to end up spending the next 28 years of his life at the School. However, when he attended his very first School Meeting, he was deeply moved by what he refers to as the “attitude” of the school. “The School’s attitude about some things were just so different, so progressive, so wonderful, that I just said, ‘Yes, this is it,’” recalled Mr. McCatty. The environment Choate fostered led Mr. McCatty to take a job at the School, a decision which, looking back, has left him deeply satisfied. “I have loved being at this place,” he said.
As a member of the Choate faculty, Mr. McCatty taught English at the 200, 300, and 400 levels, teaching American Literature every year. Kevin Tang ’21 said, “Having been both his advisee and student, Mr .McCatty is not only one of the best teachers I have ever had, but also one of the best people I have ever had the fortune to meet. His teaching really pushed his students to think for themselves and I’m grateful for that. I will miss his encouraging teaching, charming presence in the classroom, and staple humorous personality.”
In addition to being an integral and beloved member of the Choate English Department, Mr. McCatty was also a crew coach and a faculty adviser to the Judicial Committee in his early years at Choate. He has also helped organize many of Choate’s annual Pratt-Packard Speech Contests.
Adrienne Chacón ’22 remembers that Mr. McCatty “always kept a sense of decorum when conducting the speech contest. He took it as a great tradition that he was tasked with upholding. He values English and the power of speech and words that all people possess.”
This unique sense of duty has pushed Mr. McCatty to work and improve every program of which he was a part. His determination and inextinguishable school spirit have left an immeasurable impact on the Choate community that will undoubtedly be remembered and felt for years to come.
After nearly 30 years at Choate, Mr. McCatty has made the decision to retire. After departing, Mr. McCatty plans on moving back to his home in New Hampshire where he looks forward to gardening, honing his passion for photography, reading, cooking with friends, and involving himself in volunteering.
His parting advice reflects his undying love for Choate and its transformative abilities: “Appreciate this place. Work to find the good if it’s not readily obvious to you, because it is there. This is a phenomenal place to grow, to develop various interests, to try different things. Make sure you have friends that will be your lifelong friends, and take part in things. Don’t sit in your room.”
Mr. McCatty embodies this adventurous attitude. Even now, Mr. McCatty still keeps in contact with former students, sometimes even traveling abroad to visit Choate families.
Beyond appreciating life at Choate, Mr. McCatty also hopes that Choate students will be able to use what they’re taught at Choate for something greater. “What I’d like to instill in all Choate students is that you are more fortunate than the rest of the world. Use that to the benefit of the rest of the world.”
