Teacher Spotlight: Ms. MacKenzie, English Language Arts Never Taught Better.

By: Anastasiya Averyanova

Known for bringing positive energy into the room, Ms. MacKenzie always finds a way to make connections with her students. Ms. MacKenzie has been teaching English Language Arts and the AVID elective for the past 22 years at Monroe Township High School, and she has left a long-lasting impact on her students. 

“Be true to your work, your word, and your friend,” Ms. MacKenzie quoted from Henry David Thoreau. She wishes her students would carry this lesson with them long after graduation.

During college, Ms. MacKenzie started to be a substitute teacher at a local high school and loved the experience, which inspired her to become a teacher. When asked what she enjoys about teaching ELA, Ms. MacKenzie answered, “Higher-level thinking and connecting the subject matter to the everyday lives of students”.

In classroom G347, students are always talking, but there are limits. “It’s a mix of direct instruction, independent work, and collaborations,” Ms. MacKenzie described her teaching style. “Firm, but fair”.

Although teaching is hard enough, technology has immensely changed the teaching experience and education of students. “It was transformed as a blessing, and a curse” She added.

Outside of school, Ms. MacKenzie spends time outdoors in nature. “It grounds me,” She added. She also enjoys traveling and learning new things, as well as going to the beach and the mountains, at any time of year.

Ms. MacKenzie may surprise many students when she says she does snowboarding. “I taught myself how to snowboard 25 years ago and continue to snowboard every winter,” she says. 

Out of the many years at MTHS, one memory stands out the most. Being given teacher of the year in 2013 was one of Ms. MacKenzie’s most shocking and emotional moments on camera in the school.

Ms. MacKenzie hopes that her students will do their best, and when asked for a piece of advice, she made a simple statement. “Progress, not perfection”. Her students left a mark on her, and she did the same to her students.