After 36 years of tirelessly helping students reach their full potential, Sharon Karpinski has decided her goal in life has been fulfilled.
The Lakeville Elementary principal has decided to retire this July after serving nine years in Oxford.
‘When I came here my only goal was to create an environment that brought out the best in people, whether it be teachers, parents or kids,? she said. ‘I feel like I’ve accomplished my mission ? plus it’s time for me to retire.?
Prior to Lakeville, Karpinski served as a principal in Hamtramck for three years, a counselor in Detroit for 15 years and an elementary teacher in Detroit for 10.
Over her 36 years in the education field, she said one of her most exciting experiences was when she was able to have a hand in Lakeville’s transition from a middle school to an elementary school.
‘Not many principals have the opportunity to do that,? she said. ‘It was very hard, but it was fun.?
While at Lakeville, Karpinski has lived by the ‘Fish Philosophy,? made popular by the Pike Place fish market in Seattle, Washington.
The philosophy is to make work a fun place to be, be focused on those you work with, make them go away with a memorable experience and to choose the right attitude daily.
‘I’ve done that here and I involve the parents and kids,? she said. ‘It’s a lively environment.?
Fifth grade teacher Robert Murray knows first hand that Karpinski made sure the Fish Philosophy trickled down to the teaching staff.
‘She made work a place that you looked forward coming to,? he said. ‘Especially because you could be comfortable in the fact that if any problems arose, she had the ability to make things work.?
Jill Stuk, who’s also a fifth grade teacher, called Karpinski the school’s ‘rock.?
‘Sharon empowers, leads, and truly cares about the Lakeville staff and families,? she said.
Making work a fun place to be was easy for Karpinski to do.
She remembers how she would make the last day of school as fun for teachers as it was for students.
Last year, she divided the teachers into two groups which had to throw marshmallows at each other. The object was to finish with the least amount of marshmallows on one side.
Karpinski gave the winning team full water guns and the other, well, they got empty water guns.
‘The whole staff was running all over the building squirting each other, having a ball, hiding behind furniture and in the closets,? she said. ‘It was just so much fun.?
Karpinski will not officially retire until the end of July because she will help finish off Lakeville’s summer school program.
She plans to travel a little with her husband Michael, spend time with her two children and even teach graduate courses at Oakland University in the fall.
Looking back on her years at Lakeville, Karpinski said she will miss the kids and staff the most. ‘The kids keep you young and on your toes, and I love that,? she said.