Sharon R. Lavin- MacKenzie
Sharon Lavin MacKenzie is a dedicated educator whose nearly three-decade career in teaching reflects a deep passion for student growth, mentorship, and lifelong learning. She began her journey in education in the mid-1990s, student teaching at the middle school level before quickly stepping into a long-term substitute role teaching high school science courses at just 21 years old. In 1998, she joined Fitzgerald High School, where she would spend the next 26 years shaping the academic and personal development of countless students. During her tenure, Sharon became known for her commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. She developed and implemented a board-approved human anatomy curriculum, which she taught for over 15 years, inspiring many students to pursue careers in healthcare. Beyond teaching, she coached track and field and volleyball, served as a junior class sponsor organizing proms and graduations, and played an active role in student government and school improvement initiatives. Her involvement in programs like Capturing Kids’ Hearts and the Student Success Team underscored her belief in building relationships and supporting students holistically, especially those in need of additional guidance. Sharon taught at Baker College as an adjunct professor in the education department. In that time she taught science teaching methods to new teaching candidates.
Even after retiring, Sharon’s passion for education continues to shine. She now teaches part-time as an ESL instructor, working with adult learners from diverse cultural backgrounds and helping them build new opportunities through language. Known for the lasting connections she forms, Sharon remains a beloved figure in her community, often reconnecting with former students whose lives she helped shape. Her legacy is one of dedication, compassion, and a genuine love for teaching that continues to make an impact far beyond the classroom.
• Capturing Kids' Hearts trained leader
• Certified Grades 6-12
• Biology Certification
• Language Arts/ English Composition Certification
• Western Governors University- Master's
• NEA
• MEA
• Fitzgerald Union
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to making connections and fostering relationships. You have to have people feel like they matter and that they're included in your community in order to teach them. There's this hierarchy of needs - you have to have your immediate needs met first before you can learn. So you have to have Maslow before you do Bloom. A child's not going learn from you if they don't respect you and feel like that they matter. It's about building those relationships first and making every student feel valued and part of the community.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my athletic director when I was coaching track. He told me that every week, no matter what - no matter if it's Parent Teacher Conferences Week or the busiest week of the school year - take one day and leave your briefcase at work, and do not take anything home. Do not even take it home at all, because if you take something home every day, it doesn't stop. You will always have something to do. That advice helped me understand the importance of setting boundaries and not letting work consume every moment of my life.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to set realistic boundaries for yourself and your workload, and make sure that you have a life balance that is good for your mental and overall health. If you're doing it right, there's always something to do, You really have to learn a way of setting boundaries and taking care of yourself in order to be a good teacher, because if you are burned out, you aren't willing to perform. This is especially important because many teachers are also juggling being moms, and you need to maintain that balance between work and home.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I don't think that education is as respected as it should be - there's just not enough respect for teachers. I also feel that if you're doing it right, there's always something to do. There's a lot of burnout in this profession. The work is very demanding, and teachers often don't have enough time for self-care. You really have to take care of yourself as an educator and learn to set boundaries. If you are burned out, you won’t be able to teach.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is something my grandma instilled in me: you leave this earth better than you found it. That equates to anything - your job, a campsite, wherever you go.This value guides everything I do, both professionally and personally.
Locations
Current: Utica Community Schools. Walsh Education Center
38901 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
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