Staff Spotlight: 4th-grade teacher Kevin Macomber believes education is a team effort

Fourth-grade teacher Kevin Macomber says that even teachers don’t have all the answers, and he’s never afraid to seek guidance from others. Photo provided by Kevin Macomber

by Amy Haggerty

The best place to become a teacher is in your own hometown. And fourth-grade teacher Kevin Macomber did exactly that, beginning in 2012.

He followed in his mother Nancy’s footsteps; she worked as a substitute teacher in the district for 20 years. At a young age, Macomber he knew he wanted to pursue a career in education. His experiences working at a summer latchkey program with kids ages 4-12 sparked his desire for a teaching career.

Macomber grew up in Stockbridge and attended Stockbridge Community Schools through graduation in 2003. After high school, he attended Lake Superior State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a double minor in English and social studies. Later, he attended Marygrove College and received his master’s degree in the art of teaching with a focus in reading and literacy.

After college, he married his wife, Stacy, and they have two children together: Corinne, age 10, and Colton, age 7.

Macomber said what he likes most about his teaching job is “Watching the growth of his students throughout the year and the years following.”

In his view, even as a teacher you can never be fully prepared or have all the answers.

According to this insightful educator, “Education is a team effort and you can’t be afraid to seek guidance from others. To be successful in just about anything, you need to have the support of people around you.”

Fishing and hunting are two of his favorite hobbies. Macomber has been an enthusiastic participant in the Michigan Walleye Tournament over the last several seasons. While he chose to stay close to home for his career, his hobby is a different story. His fishing adventures have taken him on water throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Canada.

When he’s not at home or in his classroom, he especially enjoys time spent at his family’s cabin in the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s picturesque Upper Peninsula. Macomber has been traveling and fishing there since he was a young child, and he shares that, someday, he hopes to retire there.

Columnist Amy Haggerty retired from Stockbridge Community Schools after teaching for 33 years in the Stockbridge district. She moved to the community 26 years ago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.