MACE

I came to MACE solely off a recommendation from a fellow colleague in December 2018. I was very optimistic about MACE help me with my situation in my previous district. Coming from a state and district where unions were vital in this cutthroat world of education, MACE was the best equivalency to my old union back home. After paying 1750, I wholeheartedly believed every word Mr. Barnes told me about correcting my situation. However, as months passed I came to realize my thoughts were wrong. Here we are in the month of June and I still have not gotten any resolution to my case. Calling into the answering service is a joke because it can be some weeks before getting a call back from anyone. At the beginning, if I called in someone will call you back within the next day. Even when Mr. Barnes did called it was always from a blocked number. You will think after paying thousands of dollars to an organization that you will get a direct line of communication to your lawyer for updates or questions. However, they will faithfully take your membership dues out every month but can't return a simple phone call. I eventually cancelled my membership through my bank. If you decide to utilize MACE services be very cautious. I feel I wasted money that could have been used to help my current homelessness and unemployment due to false promises. I guess I would have felt better if I was told that they couldn't help my situation and I could have kept my money. Maybe one day soon I will get an update about my case. If not, goodbye to my 1750.

I have been a member of MACE for over a decade and I will continue my membership as long as I am teaching. MACE has supported me during TRULY difficult times from, keeping my certificate from being blemished by several Superintendents (just because thought they could). And recently when I had concerns about this Covid-19 chaos. No matter my concerns big or small MACE has been there to answer all my questions in detail and truthfully. Mr.Barnes has returned my calls each and everytime within 24 hrs. During our conversations his only MUST have, has been that I give him all the details so he knows how to pursue. I enjoy his jovial spirit and professionalism. If you need a support system during difficult times in your career or just for clarification. MACE is the place. B.A. Conover Ed.S

The one time I needed Mace it took them 3 days to call me back and I called twice a day trying to get help. I resigned from MACE and they refunded my remaining money - they make you pay the full year. When I joined, instead of letting me pay over the phone, the rep wanted me to meet him after school halfway between Duluth and Fayetteville. In that case, I chose to not join. At that point, I was allowed to pay over the phone. I wish I could give them minus stars.

In response to Mr. Trotter's review on my situation that he called a "train wreck". It's funny how my situation was a train wreck AFTER I made my initial review on this platform. It wasn't until I made the review that I started to get any of the traction that Mr. Trotter's stated in his response. From him and his son. After my review was made of course I received a call from Mr. Trotter's son. We agreed that when they completed my case I would update my review showing an how happy I was with the work they did with my case. I believed in what MACE stood for and still do. As of today, I still stand on my first review. Even though their picket got traction from Fulton, were I was FORCED to resigned, I still have not gotten my paperwork from them reversing my original reason for leaving to a personal resignation. Even though Mr. Trotter's son stated that I would. I'll leave that to everyone's imagination. Mr. Trotter and his son NEVER stated my case was a train wreck and assured me they have had problems with Fulton county before and could handle my case. One thing nobody is going to do is put a negative connotation on my name. Had they told me from the beginning that my Case was a "train wreck" trust I would have not paid anything to this "union". I am appalled that Mr. Trotter is trying to sully my name with this false narrative he concocted. However, I understand as a business owner you want to protect your business name. This review would have never happened if what was promised at the beginning of this journey actually took place. I have called MACE office for an update on the revised paperwork Mr. trotter's son stated was being corrected. However, I still havent received a call from MACE or the paperwork from Fulton County. I guess it is true that when you come to Georgia to teach you need to learn how to shut up and just take whatever the admin dishes out. If not your name will be tarnished and prevented from working for any school district in GA because the effect trickles throughout. Luckily I have other avenues to draw from but it saddens me that I cant teach anymore because I stood up for myself from a system that tried to suppress me and my family. However, I have no hard feelings. People reap what they sow and at some point everyone involved will be dealt with. I wish MACE continued success.

MACE is an awesome organization! Do not teach without it! Mr. Barnes has really helped me over the years. I owe my last 7 years of teaching to MACE. I couldn’t have taught 30 years without them.

I have been a member of Mace for three years and I could not give them enough praise for the numerous of times they have come to my aid. This organization has guided me, supported me, loved me, treated me above well in all communication. Dr. Barnes has physically come to my Board to ensure I was being treated fairly. They stand above every teachers union I have researched or came in contact with! They stand on their principles of being aggresive advocates for teachers. In our most vurnerable times as educators, we dont need wimpy represenatation, we need well-connected aggressive advocates that can play chess and not checkers. This is the organization I stand by to represent teachers in their matters because they truely care and know what they are doing!!!

I am a retired teacher. I joined MACE in 1995 and was a member until my retirement. I would not be a member of any teacher organization but MACE. All the others are toothless tigers. MACE is there for you and will fight for your rights. I had a situation and one phone call from MACE was all it took. Problem solved. MACE....don’t teach school without it!

Mr. Barnes handled my case in a professional and friendly manner. He promptly answered every question and made sure I understood the process. The office staff was always kind and accommodating. I highly recommend MACE above any other organization of this kind.