As the school year draws to a close, educators are faced with the struggles of end of the year testing, the shortened attention spans of students, and completing assignments and tasks. This year there is also the added excitement and challenge of moving classrooms due to construction projects while navigating students’ emotions, worries, and resiliency. Makenzie Estes, fifth grade teacher at Stanley-Boyd is one of the exceptional teachers meeting the challenge head on and thriving.
Makenzie grew up in Cornell, Wisconsin where she attended school for her entire elementary, middle, and high school career. After graduation in 2015, she went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she graduated with a degree in Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Education. Before teaching at Stanley-Boyd, Makenzie was a long-term substitute in the Chippewa Falls School District and taught middle school ELA at the Gilman School District for two years. Makenzie admits that she didn’t always plan to be a teacher after college. “I actually went into college as an athletic-training major with hopes to one day be an athletic trainer. I knew I loved sports and athletics, so I thought this would be the perfect route for me. Turns out, I’m not cut out for the medical field!” she explains. She remarks that her career choice was influenced by the incredible people in her own life. “I chose to become a teacher because I have had the best role models and coaches through-out my life, and that inspired me to want to do the same. Growing up, I was constantly volunteering my extra time to help out with youth sports, and that showed me the true passion I have for sharing what I love with others. I couldn’t have chosen a better profession for myself!” Makenzie adds, “I LOVE my job!”
She shares, “I had a teacher that impacted my life, and I have had multiple students that have impacted it as well. My high school history teacher, who was also my high school basketball coach, impacted me in many positive ways. He was always there for me throughout my high school career and even into the beginning of my college career as well, no matter the situation I was in. He listened to me in some of my hardest times, always without judgment, offering advice and support. He was a great mentor to me inside and outside of the classroom, and I am grateful for that. Along the way, many students have impacted my life. I am grateful for all of them that have walked through my door.”
While building her career, Makenzie married her high school sweetheart, Neil, and they added their daughter Elizabeth to their family in 2022 and their son Laine in 2023. Being only 12 ½ months apart, their little ones keep them busy. They live in the country outside of Boyd with their 9-year-old golden retriever, Chief, where they raise beef cattle in their free time. They enjoy spending time outside as a family, especially taking the kids to the farm to help with the day-to-day chores and to see the animals. In the summer they like to swim and spend time on their pontoon as well. When Makenzie has spare time, she likes to shop and hunt with her dad and sister. Makenzie mentions that she also enjoys reading and one of her favorite nostalgic book series is ‘The Hunger Games.’
Makenzie is a self-proclaimed “super competitive person” and says that her favorite sport is basketball. In high school she played school league basketball, softball, and volleyball. When she was younger, she played traveling softball in the summers, and in high school she played traveling basketball in the summers. She mentions, “I am a Wisconsin sports fan through and through (Badgers, Bucks, Brewers and Packers), but I’d say my favorite sport to watch is college basketball.”
With the end of the school year right around the corner, Makenzie shares what she is most looking forward to. “I am so excited for all of the fun end of the year activities and the excitement that comes along with it! This year is extra fun with moving out of our classrooms because of construction, so that adds to all of the excitement. I also love to see the growth my students have made over the course of the school year; I am so proud of them!” Now that her children are getting older, Makenzie is looking forward to being an active member in the community and she is excited to be a part of Camp Read S’more, the Stanley-Boyd School District’s summer library on wheels.
“I am excited to get books in kids’ hands throughout the summer,” she says. She continues, “I’d like to help coach sports and be a part of the different programs the community has to offer as well! SB is an amazing community and I’m grateful to be a part of it!”
Makenzie says that Stanley-Boyd has always been a school where she wanted to teach. “I had heard so many great things about the district before being hired here, and I wanted to be a part of it.” She hopes to one day have her children attend the Stanley-Boyd Area School District. “My husband and I have always wanted to send our children to school here as well because of all it has to offer, so it’s been a perfect fit!”
Educators are faced with many classroom challenges and Makenzie explains how she conquers the obstacles that come her way. “I would say one of the hardest challenges as a teacher is finding a way to meet ALL students where they need it. We often have a high variety of needs within our classrooms with students at all different levels, so differentiating for those needs can be a challenge.” She explains, “I overcome this by researching and preparing ahead of time so all of my students can be challenged at their level.”
Good teachers know that learning never stops and Makenzie says that her students have taught her so much in her career. “I tell them all the time how they teach me things about myself daily, and I am so grateful for that.” She specifies, “Some of the things they have taught me are that building relationships is vital to a positive school culture. If I don’t build rapport with my students, my job gets significantly more challenging. They have also taught me that setting high standards is crucial, the more we expect of them, the higher they will achieve. Lastly, they have taught me that every day is different, but through the good and the bad days, we can always find positives!” When asked what she likes the most about being a teacher, she says, “What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing those “light-bulb” moments within my students. Where things just start to click for them and become easier. I love seeing their growth and success, and I love even more when they get to see that as well and feel proud of themselves for all of their hard work!”
Makenzie wishes that people knew that teachers wear so many hats in their profession. “We take on a lot of different roles that provide experiences beyond teaching the curriculum. It is extremely important to us as educators to care for and nurture our students outside of the regular classroom as well, so that they are well-rounded individuals. This takes time, energy, patience, money, and love, but I know that I wouldn’t change it for the world!”
Great teachers shape and mold great students, and Makenzie Estes is one of the best! The sacrifices of the teachers at Stanley-Boyd and the care for their students don’t go unnoticed. Their long-lasting impact will never be forgotten and the Stanley-Boyd community is filled with gratitude.
