The art world and the sports world have combined to bring two new teachers to Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School - McKenzy Havenstein, a new art teacher, and her husband, Sawyer Havenstein, the new district activities and athletics director.
Sawyer stayed in a camper owned by Mr. Meyers, the school's principal, for four days a week in June for summer weights. McKenzy and Sawyer became official residents of Jewell County on July 1.
Sawyer is from Riley, Kan. He went to school at Riley County High School and then K-State where he received his bachelor's degree in education. While at K-State, Sawyer met McKenzy, who is from the Manhattan area. She grew up on the family farm in Rock Creek. McKenzy went to high school at Rock Creek High School and then went on to K-State where she majored in interior design with minors in leadership and business. McKenzy is currently working on her masters in education through Fort Hays State University online.
Sawyer and McKenzy have been married for three years. They have a three year old son. "He brings the energy wherever he goes," McKenzy said about her son.
While Sawyer said his hobbies are weight-lifting, McKenzy enjoys biking, reading, Kayaking and ceramics.
McKenzy and Sawyer were both 24 when they started their careers as teachers. This is McKenzy's first year of teaching.
McKenzy had wanted to get into teaching and chose art because her experience with interior design gave her a good base. She will also be teaching Family Consumer Services (FCS) classes. Before becoming teachers, Sawyer was a student for six years and McKenzy worked in an architecture firm as a project manager on retail projects.
Sawyer and McKenzy both enjoy the opportunity to leave town and see the rolling hills. "The rolling hills remind me of the Flint Hills around where I grew up," McKenzy said. Sawyer enjoys living in Jewell County because it is rural. He also enjoys the slower lifestyle and friendly people. McKenzy enjoys the open spaces and quietness. Sawyer had the opportunity to be close to where he grew up by moving to Jewell County. "I've always been interested in Rock Hills," Sawyer said. He knew that it is a good school that has been successful in the past. McKenzy had a wonderful job opportunity at the school when she moved here.
McKenzy chose to change careers because she was good at interior design and she got more responsibilities but after a long week, she didn't really see what she had accomplished. As a teacher, McKenzy is able to work within the community and gets to be up and going. She also missed the school environment, the energy and the growth. McKenzy had the mindset to continue getting better. Sawyer grew up in a teaching and coaching household and saw the impact a teacher or coach could make and he knew that teaching-coaching was what he wanted to do.
Because McKenzy is just starting her first year of teaching, she isn't fully sure of what the hardest part of the job is. She did say trying to cater to each student's needs, and figuring out how to get them to interact with projects, a prioritization, have proven difficult. She believes her favorite parts of teaching will be interacting with energetic students and seeing the ideas they come up with. She also said the opportunity to contribute to the community will be one of her favorite things.
Sawyer's favorite part of teaching and coaching is getting to be around the students and making an impact on their lives. "The students make it fun," Sawyer said. Getting everybody to believe in what they're doing and getting them on the same page are some of the hardest parts of Sawyer's job. Sawyer is responsible for 7-12 P.E. and weights. He is the district activites and athletics director, 7-12 head football coach and 7-12 head track coach.
Some of McKenzy's responsibilities include: introducing mid-level family consumer services for sixth and seventh grade classes; MTSS coordinating and identifying student gaps so the student doesn't fall behind; and having so much to specialize in art.
For Sawyer, the shut down of everything caused by COVID was difficult. When COVID came in strong, Sawyer was in his second year of teaching, so the close down created a big change by making schools go remote. McKenzy said Sawyer's grandpa had COVID, but has recovered. "We realized that during the shut down, our lifestyle didn't change much," McKenzy said. COVID allowed her the flexibility to make a career change. She had worked from home for over a year.
Sawyer aspires to continue being in his current position and taking the students to the highest possible position, for example, state competitions. McKenzy's aspiration is to introduce FCS curriculum to middle school students that could continue with further FCS classes in high school.
"Teachers are influential in allowing students to realize their own abilities and what they can do after school," McKenzy said in response to what inspires her. Sawyer is inspired by seeing how the students grow throughout the years.
"Take it day by day," Sawyer said in giving advice to anyone who wants to work in his field. "Don't take it personal with students, never give up on them, even if it's difficult." He wants the community to know he is excited to be here and to see what the community and he can accomplish.
When asked what advice she had for people wanting to teach, McKenzy said, "I am just sinking my feet in, but if you have the energy and drive to contribute meaningfully in students' lives, go for it." McKenzy wants the community to know she is looking forward to getting to know the students and families.
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