Lisa Bird, director of public and media relations for Special Olympics Maine, said she tried to come up with some terms to describe Toby LeConte. She came up with the terms "advocate," "unsung hero," "living legend," and, said Bird at the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club's presentation dinner Thursday, April 20 to honor LeConte as this year's Lifetime Service Award recipient, "Toby truly embodies the Rotary motto of service above self."

Bird was just one of several speakers to honor LeConte, special education teacher at Boothbay Region Elementary School and Boothbay Region High School for over 40 years.

"But I was completely terrified of the woman when I first met her," said Bird, which prompted some guilty laughter. “And, how many of you out there were scared of her ... yeah, go ahead, raise your hands ... look, they're even scared to raise their hands!"

LeConte, who was described by several as having a tough outer shell but also having a "heart of gold," sat at the front table with LSA committee members Brenda Blackman and Robin Reed who conducted the nearly two-hour ceremony.

Lisa Smith, special services director for AOS 98 who has known LeConte for over 20 years as a colleague and a parent of a special needs child, said "Toby is much more than a teacher, she's mom, a hairdresser, a coach, a police officer, a seamstress and more."

Smith's statements were backed up in a testimonial written by longtime BRES teacher Cathie (Cook) Parkhurst, who first met LeConte while both were attending the University of Maine at Farmington. Reed read, "In the 45 years Cathie has known Toby, she was wowed by ‘a thousand kindnesses Toby has provided above and beyond what is expected of a teacher’ ... several times in our many years of friendship (Cathie asked) why she insists on making clothes, or buying food, toys, books, grooming essentials and clothes for her students with her own money, her response is always, 'Because they need them.' When she has had to fight for the rights of her students, and I ask her why she doesn't give herself a break and let some things go, her response is always, 'Who else is going to fight for them?'"

A testimonial from BRES teacher Hildy Johnson which was read included: "It's not unusual to find her here at BRES on Saturdays and Sundays ... year round to boot ... working late on curriculum, transportation concerns, Special Olympics paperwork, interior decorating (classroom and the school), mending student clothing, packing for Special Olympics (or a Florida trip) ... She gives much of herself unselfishly. Toby may seem tough on the outside, but inside she is a sensitive very caring woman who puts her family, friends, students and their families, and her colleagues first. Toby is a saint!"

Jeanne Tonon, who worked with LeConte several years as the BRES guidance director, was one of nearly 20 colleagues, active and retired, who showed up to honor LeConte.

"After lots of years in the system, I still don't know how she does it," said Tonon. "What I do know is that the children in Toby's care are lucky because she will try her hardest, work long hours, find all the resources and never give up to make a child's life better."

LeConte's advocacy for her students was brought up several times during the ceremony, however, one of the better testimonials was given by parent Marcus Hutchins, who read the testimonial written by his wife, Andrea.

"When I think of Toby, complete commitment and boundless energy come to mind. She is someone who, year after year, gets her entire Special Ed class to every single Special Olympics event, all fully equipped and dressed in matching team uniforms. She is someone who, knowing how parents need a break, would randomly call up and say, 'I want to take Michael for the weekend.' But more than anything, Toby is someone who loves the divine worth of every single person. When she knew Michael would be joining her class, Toby devoted some time to prepare her students ... Michael's limitations are pretty severe and so made him quite distinct from the other class members. She lovingly explained about Michael and what he could and could not do, and what the class could do to make him feel welcomed. And then the magic happened as the students happily talked about the fact there was going to be a classmate who needed THEM ... they had a purpose and they could help. That is the miracle of Toby: everyone matters and everyone is needed."

Parent Tom Witt said during his brief talk, "Our daughter Elli was a member of Toby's classroom for about 15 years. We are so lucky to have Toby in her life and ours. Toby uses every teachable moment to coax the best out of each of her students. She is not only a teacher but a coach, a mother and a friend....Toby, we love you."

Superintendent of Schools Eileen King talked about having worked with LeConte since 1994 when she was hired as BRES principal and how important she has been to her students and the school. King, too, alluded to LeConte's "gruffness" through a couple of stories, but that she certainly does have "a heart of gold."

After Blackman and Reed presented LeConte with the Lifetime Service Award plaque which outlines her many areas of dedication, State District 89 Rep. Stephanie Hawke, R – Boothbay Harbor,  presented LeConte with a legislative sentiment honoring her four-plus decades of work with special needs students.

In a brief concluding statement, LeConte thanked everyone and said, “You never get there alone,” recognizing the “100 million others” who have helped her over the years.

“Our community just gives and gives,” said LeConte, who ended her talk by unfurling a long roll of paper with the names of all the students she has taught over the 40-plus years.