Ms. Andrea Mackey has been teaching here at Mead ever since it opened. Before Mead, she taught at Longmont High School for 15 years. 

Currently, she teaches Integrated English 9, both the fall play and spring musical classes, along with some tech classes, and she is teaching an E-credit this semester. 

Mackey was involved in theater classes throughout middle and high school though her love for working behind the scenes sparked in high school. 

“I did act, it wasn’t my favorite. Backstage is my thing,” said Ms. Mackey.  

Mackey believes producing a good quality theatrical show takes up a lot of time and hard work, but the payoff is very rewarding. She also said having to start from knowing almost nothing about the play to in a few months performing it in front of a live audience takes a lot of teamwork. 

“[Theater is] rewarding because kids love to be a part of [the plays],” she said. 

A part of Mackey’s job that she enjoys is the different types of kids she gets to work with. She appreciates the varying types of personalities from her tech and theater classes. 

“Tech kids are different from theater [and] actor kids, and I love them both,” she said. Having both groups of students creates a good balance in her life.

Another fun part of Mackey’s job is her co-workers. She appreciates them and how well they work together. Specifically her integrated class with Ms. Sandoval, as well as her theater classes with Ms. Berry and Ms. Baxter. 

Unfortunately, this is Mackey’s last year teaching at Mead. After retiring, in the summer, she plans to finish up her second master’s degree in theater production design and then travel this fall, hopefully to Europe. She then plans to find a more calm, less time-consuming job. Mackey will be missed but she has our best wishes coming her way for her plans.