Coach Specialist & Professional Learning and Innovation Coordinator, Institute for Excellence in Education
An educator at heart, Tracey McKenzie joined the Institute for Excellence in Education in 2012, bringing over 27 years of broad experience in the education realm to her role as an Instructional Coach. Driven by a need to inspire others, Tracey instills a core purpose in her coaching work – and that is one of motivating fellow educators into action.
A firm believer in advancing her own professional development, Tracey underwent training and became adept in the techniques utilized through Adaptive Schools and Cognitive Coaching. This training has helped to ensure her effectiveness as an Instructional Coach, delivering guidance to teachers in districts across Michigan, including Buena Vista School District, Tuscola Intermediate School District, Imlay City Community Schools, Detroit Public Schools and numerous charter public schools.
Further enhancing her impact as an educational coach, Tracey played an integral role in the development of the English Language Arts component of the Institute’s Focused Instructional Model (FIM), and has worked extensively with coaches in implementing the FIM math program across the nation.
Tracey’s rich experience throughout the early years of her career were hands-on at many levels, dedicating five years to middle school learners in math and English for Croswell-Lexington Community Schools, followed by 6 years as a pre-school teacher for the Alcona County Pre-school Cooperative, as she recognized the importance of early education. From there Tracey supported the needs of students in the homebound community for Owendale-Gagetown Public Schools and developed a skill-set in delivering alternative education, and also served as a substitute teacher for White Pine Middle School. Prior to joining the Institute, Tracey broadened her impact and served as a Health Educator for adolescent students for the Tuscola County Health Department, further expanding her impact in educating youth.
Tracey earned her Master of Education Degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development in 1994 from Michigan State University and Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Degree in 1990 from Northern Michigan University.
