Warren native’s career spans elementary to the elderly

WARREN -- When she was a third-grade teacher in Howland schools, Marge Haley decorated the bulletin boards in her classroom for her students, and now as the center manager at the Warren SCOPE Center, she is decorating the bulletin boards for senior citizens.

Haley, 73, a Warren native who has lived in Howland and Niles, said she has spent her life working with people of all ages from children when she was a teacher, adults when she was a trainer for a Fortune 500 company and senior citizens at the SCOPE Center.

TEACHER

Haley, now of Canfield, worked as a third-grade teacher for several years and later was a junior high English teacher for two years for Howland Local Schools.

"When I graduated from high school, things were different. Today, women can do any career, but when I graduated, women were limited to being a nurse, a secretary or a teacher. I knew I did not want to be a nurse or a secretary, but I thought of being a teacher remembering the wonderful fourth-grade teacher I had in Warren," Haley said.

Haley worked her way through college and after graduating landed the third-grade position in Howland.

Haley said she still is recognized by some of her former students.

"I really enjoy seeing my former students and catching up on their lives. It is amazing to see what they have done with themselves. I am very proud how they have turned out," she said.

Being a teacher did not pay very well, so Haley decided to change careers so she could support herself.

BUSINESS

When she was working on her master's degree at the University of Akron, she made a good contact, which led to a new job where she traveled nationally 50 weeks out of the year presenting training programs to Fortune 500 retailers. She trained people how to sell the companies' products.

"That was in the days before women really traveled. It was interesting. I traveled so much I could be on both coasts in one week," Haley said.

After that career ended, she worked various jobs in steel manufacturing, health care and for the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber.

Haley said she is familiar with both Trumbull and Mahoning counties and when she was with the regional chamber, she had offices in both Warren and Youngstown.

"There is a little more to do in Mahoning County. On a Saturday morning, I can go to many different farm markets, retail stores and restaurants," Haley said.

SCOPE CENTER

She finally was led to SCOPE, where she started part-time at 10 hours per week. Now, she is a full-time manager at the Warren location and has been with SCOPE for 10 years.

"I have had fun at all my jobs, but this is the one I really like. There is something to be said to be on the other side of retirement. I can have fun with what I do. I like being with the seniors," Haley said.

She started as the center manager in Warren, then was the center manager in Lordstown and is now back as the manager in Warren. She also handles all the Medicare and Medicaid paperwork and billing.

Haley meets up with her friends on weekends when they have time and do day trips.

"We are always looking for something that we have not done before. You are never too old to learn. It seems like I learn something new every day. We hear about something that looks fun so we check it out," she said.

Haley said she enjoys reading best-sellers and knitting. She said she stays busy at work and has a cat, Howie.

"COVID-19 has not stopped me that much. I am not one who wants to stay at home. I do like once in a while to stay at home and read a good book or work on one of the multitude of projects I am doing," she said.

Haley said the seniors at the center can all relate to each other.

"You can talk about knee replacement and cataract surgeries. You can talk about 'the remember whens' and the ills. When you talk about the 'remember whens' and people actually remember, it's a lot of fun. We all laugh now when we have our senior moments and can't remember," Haley said.

Haley said she is planning different programs for the SCOPE Center, including a chess club and bike club once people are allowed to gather again.

"I have had a lot of different jobs and I have liked them all because I have been able to take something meaningful away from all of them. I am very happy being with SCOPE," she said.