Heather MacKenzie is an Instructional Coordinator for Social
Studies and World Languages for Henry County Schools, the eighth largest school
district in the state of Georgia. She came into this position two years ago
after 14 years as a classroom teacher, where she had experience as a Special
Ed, Elementary, and Middle School teacher. During her career she has enjoyed
presenting at the local, state, and national levels, as well as serving as a
consultant and curriculum writer for the Georgia Humanities Council.
1. How
and/or when did you get you hooked on history?
A love of and respect for history has been a constant in my
life. Born and raised in Philadelphia, my earliest memories are weekend outings
to Valley Forge or field trips to Independence Hall. In high school I used to
spend all day laying out and studying on the Princeton Battlefields. I even
remember when the Liberty Bell was next to a bus stop! However, I would say I
truly became hooked on history in high school. Like most educators, I was
inspired by an educator. Mr. Tom Wilcox was my US History teacher at The Hun
School of Princeton. That man knew everything! I had always enjoyed and even
exceled in social studies and history courses throughout my years as a student,
but in 11th grade Mr. Wilcox engaged us in a way no other teacher had: he made
connections. I suddenly saw history as a living, breathing discipline as
opposed to the study of dead men and dates. Now, this was before the age of
pervasive technology use in the classroom. This was when textbooks were akin to
gospel and that was how you learned everything about the past. Except in
Wilcox’s class (He was the cool teacher who went by one name like Cher or
Beyonce; No formalities needed). Mr. Wilcox would dive into rich lecture and
discussion and presentations would be peppered with slide shows of his personal
travels and anecdotes. He made whatever topic we were studying relevant to a
group of teenagers. His expectations for us were unparalleled and we each
worked hard to meet them because he empowered us to do so. Years later when I
became a history teacher myself, his teaching was the meter stick to which I
measured myself against. This year I will return to Hun for my 20th Reunion and
can’t wait to thank Wilcox for “hooking” me on history.
2. What role
does history play or has it played in your personal life?
My favorite thing to do in my personal time is to travel and
over the years I have been fortunate enough to do quite a bit of it. The
majority of my travels have been to historical sites or small towns that would
bring history to life. While some places like Williamsburg, Virginia, have been
maintained for tourism, the most fascinating places are those that time has
seemingly forgotten. Places where I am studying the past but enjoying the
present, like learning to two-step in Cody, Wyoming, or bringing the house down
at karaoke in Frankfort, Kentucky (It was a mic drop moment). In addition,
during my travels I have connected with other educators or lovers of history,
and formed friendships that have lasted years. I’m truly grateful for how full
my life has become as a result of those travels.
3. How
is/How was history a part of your professional life/career?
I began my career as a Special Ed teacher where I addressed
all content areas but specifically the focus was on reading and math. In 2004,
I was accepted into my first of four Teaching American History Grant programs
and it changed the trajectory of my career. Working with and learning from
historians, professors, and peers provided a laser focus for me and guided me
into positions where I was able to spend more time with social studies content.
As a cheerleader for social studies education I have also worked closely with
amazing organizations like the Georgia Council for the Social Studies (GCSS),
Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE), and other national organizations,
that promote history and social studies education and best instructional
practices within the disciplines.
4. Why is
studying/knowing history important?
I once read a comic/cartoon that said “Those who don’t study
history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to
standby helplessly while everyone else repeats it.” I feel that History is not
only the study of the past but the application of the skills that we want all
citizens to possess: critical or analytical thinking and the ability to
investigate multiple sources or perspectives before forming judgements. While
the cartoon made me giggle with the idea of ‘it’s funny because it’s true,’ I
know so many amazing individuals who do something with their knowledge—they
advocate, organize, educate. That is what gives me hope for the continued
growth of history education.
5. What is
your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?
Asking for a favorite aspect of history is like asking who
your favorite student or child is! Based on my upbringing I am partial to
colonial or revolutionary history. Teddy Roosevelt is my favorite president so
I am a bit obsessed with history of the progressive era and his global reach.
Essentially, I tend to shift my preference based on whatever I am reading or
studying at the time but if I had to select one aspect, I would say that I am
captivated by the history of pop-culture and how music, films, spirts, etc.,
have influenced American culture. I think this aspect of history is of
particular fascination to me because of its fluidity. It is ever changing and
it has always been a great way to connect with others.
6. What are
some high points and low points of being a district social studies coordinator?
The high points of this position occur any time that I have
the opportunity to interact with teachers. I have the pleasure of serving
teachers in Henry County but my role as a district coordinator has afforded me
the opportunity to work with teachers from around the state and country. I am
inspired by them daily and through my dealings with them, am consistently
reminded of the great responsibility of this role and how important it is for
me to be their voice. The low points of being a district coordinator is that I
often miss the students!
7. What trends or changes are happening in
social studies education now?
I know that the saying goes, “The only thing is life you can
count on is change” and feel confident that it must have been an educator who
first coined the phrase. There are a number of things happening in education
both at the state and national level but the trend I have seen pop-up the most
is the idea of 21st Century Learning. This broad umbrella covers a number of
initiatives including personalized learning, project-based learning,
tech-enabled instruction, STEM, and so on. At the core of 21st Century Learning
is the idea that we are charged with preparing students for jobs that have not
yet been created. However, this also refers to preparing students to assume
roles as citizens in a global community and that is where social studies
education can be of the most support. This is daunting but also exciting
because I immediately link it back to the study of history. This is not the
first time that we have seen such seismic shifts in mindset or practice and my
belief is that as long as we continue to build up great citizens and leaders,
we will prepare our kids for whatever they choose to do after graduation.
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