Lisa Sokol gives new meaning to the phrase ‘hometown girl.? She was born in Lake Orion, graduated from LOHS in 1971, and will retire this year from Lake Orion Schools as community education director at the Community Educational Resource Center (CERC).
Sokol fondly remembers the time she spent at Blanche Sims Elementary School, and Junior High East (now Scripps Middle School), as a student. She attended the old high school, now the building where she reports to work every day at the CERC.
‘I got my bachelor’s degree from Oakland University in 1974, and my master’s degree in adult community education from Michigan State University in 1982,? Sokol, still a Lake Orion resident, said.
‘I started work here in Lake Orion for the CERC in 1986, which was then in the building that is now the Ehman Center, which was then called Elizabeth Street School,? she said. ‘I started as coordinator for community education.?
Sokol was named director in 1989 and has held the position since. During that time, she also became director of Head Start and Title One (a federal program). She also worked to help start the preschool at the CERC, and start the Gifted and Talented program, seeking state grants.
During her time as director, Sokol also focused on professional development and became director of state and federal grants for the community education program.
Sokol was motivated to become a teacher, after initially wanting to become a museum curator, because of her father, Bill Fitzpatrick.
‘I always loved literature and art,? she said. ‘My bachelor’s is in art history and language arts. My dad recommended I look for a job with more of a steady income (then a curator).
‘I went through college in three years, got my teaching degree, and loved it,? Sokol said, adding that both her dad and mom, Josephine, were excellent role models for her growing up.
‘My dad really set a good example for me to be someone who gives back to their community,? she said. ‘I think that’s why I never left.?
Sokol was inspired to study literature, and teach, by her former teachers, and later colleagues, Yolanda Neira and Judy Skiba.
‘They were the two people that inspired me to become an English teacher,? she said.
Sokol has served many roles in the community, even as a cheerleading coach. She helped start the Interagency Council in Lake Orion, as well as working with the Lake Orion Foundation for the Enhancement of Public Education, currently working on revitalization through the schools.
Growing up in Lake Orion, Sokol spent some summers giving swimming lessons at Green’s Park.
‘My dad was on the Lake Orion Board of Education for 12 years; he handed me my diploma, as well as my brother and sister,? she said.
Brother Jim Fitzpatrick, along with wife Linda, still live in Lake Orion, while sister Sue and her husband Brad, along with Sokol’s five ‘cool? nephews, live in Ortonville.
Sokol and her husband Leonard, a retired display artist for Hudson’s (now Marshall Field’s), live in Lake Orion near the Paint Creek Trail, where Sokol plans to do more exploring during her new-found free time.
‘I want to get a bicycle,? she said. ‘I enjoy reading, I make time to fit it in. I really like poetry, and Emerson and Thoreau as essayists, and Shakespeare. I also like a good mystery book.
When she’s not reading, Sokol plans to spend a lot of time in her garden, and recently taught herself to knit again, with the help of friend Joan from Heritage Spinning and Weaving in Lake Orion.
‘I’ve made 30 scarves since March,? she said.
Sokol believes her career would not have been possible without the support of her husband, along with her staff at the CERC.
‘My husband has been the saint through this 30-year career I’ve had, and extremely supportive,? she said. ‘He’s been patient through the 50-60 hour work weeks.
‘I’ve been really lucky to have a staff (at the CERC) that was very self-motivated and creative,? Sokol continued. ‘Through all the funding cuts, they have worked to maintain the program. MaryAnne Thorndycraft (adult education director) has been extremely dedicated.?
Sokol credits her staff as being responsible for the CERC’s Early Childhood Program, calling it ‘outstanding.?
‘They have a new director, Melanie O’Neil, and she’s going after accreditation,? said Sokol. ‘We also have a very fun enrichment program, run by Sally Peterson. Kelly Thorndycraft, our evening supervisor for almost 15 years, has been outstanding.?
Sokol said her secretaries, Tammy Lott and Lois Hall, along with CERC secretaries Sherri Carver and Donna Cook, have made her job a lot smoother.
‘Without (Lott and Hall) I never could have accomplished so many things,? she added. ?(Carver and Cook) have been instrumental, as well as supportive.?
Sokol plans to write and dedicate more time to her crafts and hobbies in retirement.
‘I would like to mentor and organize some book study groups,? she said. ‘I will also volunteer for the educational system, and offer additional services.?
Sokol already volunteers time as the organization chair for Downtown Lake Orion, and was recently appointed to the Union Church Governing Board.
‘I’d also like to get involved with seniors,? she said.
Asked what she felt had been the best part of her job, Sokol said ‘The stimulation of learning, and getting a lot of personal growth from working with others. I’ll definitely miss the people,? she said. ‘I’ve loved working with the staff I’ve had. I feel very blessed.?