Help a Lifelong Teacher & Director Retire with Dignity

Hello friends, former students, fellow educators, and kind-hearted strangers,

My name is Marc Segal, and I’ve had the honor of working as a secondary school teacher in English, Drama, and Music since 1986. Over the past four decades, I’ve taught thousands of students and directed more than 60 plays and musicals—many of them featuring not only high school students, but also young performers from elementary and middle school . My classroom and my stage have always been open to anyone eager to learn, grow, and find their voice.

I’ve poured my life into this work—long nights rehearsing, weekends building sets, early mornings fine-tuning lesson plans, and countless moments cheering on students as they discovered talents they never knew they had. It’s been more than a job—it’s been a calling, and I have loved every minute of it.

But now, I’m 66 years old. I live with arthritis and am gradually losing my hearing—both of which make the physically and emotionally demanding work of teaching more difficult with each passing year. I would like to retire, but financially, that dream is out of reach.

Due to some poor financial decisions 10 to 15 years ago, and a career in education that never allowed for real savings or investments, I am not in a position to retire comfortably—or even at all. I continue to work not because I want to, but because I have no choice.

If you’re one of the many students who once sat in my classroom, stood under my direction on stage, or felt the power of encouragement I tried to give freely—this is your chance to help me take a final bow. And if you’re someone who simply believes that teachers deserve to retire with dignity after a lifetime of service, I welcome your support with a grateful heart.

How You Can Help

This GoFundMe is a personal appeal: to help me raise enough to finally step away from full-time work and enter the next chapter of life with some peace of mind. Your donation—no matter how small—will go toward basic living expenses, medical costs, and building a modest retirement cushion.

If you’re not in a position to give, I completely understand. But you can still help by sharing this campaign on your social media and spreading the word.

After a lifetime of giving, I’m learning to ask—and I thank you for listening.

With gratitude and love,

Mr. Marc Segal