By Victoria John
Latin Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School
Last summer after attending The American Classical League Institute in Minneapolis, I spent a couple of days with Carol and Michael Mackner, former Lakehill master teacher and her husband, corporate executive and railroad historian. Carol and Michael are a civic-minded team, independently and cooperatively strong. Carol remains active in the community while a full-time substitute at St. Paul Academy and The Summit School. Michael serves on the Board of Directors and is the Vice President of Education at the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul. He is also the author of the book, The Twin City Model Railroad Club/Museum 1934-2009.
Visiting with Carol and Michael is like combining a hands-on course in American history with the camaraderie of friendship. Michael spearheaded our driving tour as he narrated the development of the historically-rich Summit Avenue. We continued by visiting the home of the Great Northern Railway mogul James J. Hill and pausing for a photograph in front of the architecturally-interesting home of American icon F. Scott Fitzgerald. After breakfasting in the company of presidents at the historic Lowell Inn in the heart of Stillwater, I spotted my first American eagle nesting in the treetops. Another high note was the unveiling of their personal collection. As Michael pressed the garage door opener, the effect was of a curtain rising on a stage revealing a magnificent wall-to-wall, model train display, complete with lights, smoke and whistles and hand-painted murals depicting each of their fatherlands, England and Germany. As a model train aficionado myself, it was thrilling.
When I returned to Lakehill this fall, I sensed a renewed energy for teaching, an odyssey of spirit. Carol’s “jolly good” voice of encouragement kept echoing in my mind. She had always inspired me to do my best and to lead students on an educational, character-building journey. Even though she has not been at Lakehill for over seven years, I still think of her as a role model and my chosen mentor.
Bryna Thomson, a Lakehill 7th and 8th grade science teacher and Science Department Chair, also praises Carol as a colleague. “Carol was my teacher mentor my first year at Lakehill. We were seventh grade class sponsors together and had a great time. I learned a great deal about classroom management and working with students from her. She was always firm with her students and expected a lot from them, but you could tell that she cared for each and every one of them. She was (and still is) a great role model for me!”
Carol remembers her own mentor with affection. “Third grade teacher Bea Skalbeck took me under her wing. We met and chatted in the teacher’s lounge at St. Paul Academy and The Summit School. She was the grandmotherly type, who, after her husband’s death, adopted and raised a child from China.” They kept in touch after Carol started teaching at Lakehill. “Years later, I ran into her at a summer gathering while visiting Minnesota. She came up to me and said, ‘You did a really good job. I knew you would be a good teacher.’” Carol admitted, “I was quite moved by her words at the time. Her kind words were even more meaningful when I learned about her death less than two weeks later. She was a lovely person, someone concerned about other people.”
In 2001 Carol and I chaperoned the 8th Grade Adventure Week trip to Washington, D.C. I will never forget our day at the White House. We had waited in line for almost three hours, so after the tour students were tired and hungry. As we left the building, we found ourselves in the middle of a peaceful demonstration organized by the airplane mechanics union. The future Lakehill class of 2005 sparked to life as they ran to talk to the individuals involved. Carol accompanied one of the students, and together they interviewed one of the workers. The student, moved by our founding fathers’ emphasis on freedoms, turned to Carol and remarked, “This is a really good cause. May I join them?” Modeling support, Carol turned to the girl and said, “Go for it.”
We both watched, as one by one, our students joined the circuitous picket line, some grabbing signs, others joining in with cheers. It was quite a memorable sight, as our students lived the history they were studying.
During the next four years we accompanied other 8th grade classes to Boston, co-sponsored the annual Roman Banquet, chaperoned middle school dances, and worked with the 7th grade class on community service projects. For each event, Carol stood tall, addressed her troops, offered her support and encouragement, and with an eager, “Tally ho,” stepped aside as the students assumed their leadership roles.
That’s what a good mentor does.
“Jolly good.”