Influential Woman · Education
MaryEllen McCarthy
High School Health and Physical Education Teacher and Coach, Allentown coaching
Bayville, NJ
Her Story
About MaryEllen
MaryEllen McCarthy recently retired after a distinguished 38-year career as a high school health and physical education teacher and coach at Allentown High School in Allentown, New Jersey. Throughout her tenure, she served as head of her department and coached girls lacrosse, girls softball, and field hockey, guiding her teams to numerous state, sectional, and county championships. Her excellence earned her accolades such as Coach of the Year and Coach of the Decade, along with inductions into the National Federation of High School Coaches Hall of Fame, the New Jersey High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, her school's Athletic Hall of Fame, and selection as part of the school's Mount Rushmore of Athletics. McCarthy was also a member of the American Health and Physical Education Association and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. She holds all necessary certifications to teach health, physical education, and driver education in New Jersey. Her parents instilled a strong work ethic that guided her through personal challenges, including raising a family as a single mother while teaching and coaching. Now retired, McCarthy enjoys spending time with her granddaughters and remains open to mentoring young coaches and teachers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with MaryEllen
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My parents instilled that you gotta give 100%, that you can't give up. Times were tough, and when both of my parents passed away, I was with both of them, and I was a single mom, and still teaching and coaching, and just trying to keep your head up, and to work hard, and do your best.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to have confidence in yourself and stay true to your core values, to what you consider to be the most important of your inner values. Stay true to who you are. Work hard. And do not ever give up.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My parents instilled a great work ethic. I love the challenge to be my best, to succeed, to bring out fun and energy and excitement when I walked on the practice field or into the classroom. To challenge the athletes in front of me, to help them find their greatness, to steer their greatness, whether they were on the bench, in the locker room, or the starting star on the field. I want each of my players, each of my athletes to leave their greatness, and to find it, to find their purpose, and to help them steer towards their goals.
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