The Gift of Mentorship: Sharon Libront on 24 Years of Community, Growth, and Joy
Name: Sharon Libront
Years at Pike: 24
Current Role: Literacy Coach on the Student Support Team (Former classroom teacher of grades one through four.)
A Global Perspective on Local Growth
For Sharon Libront, the course of her professional life changed not in a classroom in Andover, but on a professional development trip halfway around the world in 2005. Partnering with Phillips Academy to lead teaching workshops in Kenya and Pakistan allowed Sharon to find her voice as a leader. Though the journey to "teach the teachers" was outside her comfort zone, she returned with a new mission: to extend her impact beyond her own classroom and into the practice of her colleagues.
This spark led her to become a Lesley University-trained Literacy Coach, a role she has cherished at Pike for the last decade. Sharon discovered a genuine passion for teaching adults through these international experiences, which helped her learn to facilitate interactive, engaging workshops for her peers that meet their immediate classroom needs.
The Power of Presence: Teaching the Whole Child
Sharon’s expertise in literacy is matched by her deep appreciation for the changing landscape of education. She reflects that the most profound shift over her 24 years hasn’t been the technological leap from chalkboards to screens, but the "beautiful move toward the 'human' side of the classroom." She adds that "today, we value the whole child, their wellness, and their spirit more than ever." To keep pace with this evolution, Sharon has traded the comfort of a perfect lesson plan for the power of presence, learning that being an educator is about having the flexibility to grow alongside students.
As a trained Yoga for Classrooms instructor, Sharon has been a cornerstone of the whole child movement, leading "imagination vacations" during Lower School assemblies in partnership with Pike’s Lower School Counselor. “ There is a genuine magic in watching the entire Lower School transition into a moment of shared stillness and deep breathing as they embark on a guided meditative adventure.”
Building Confident Writers and Authors
In her current role, Sharon finds immense joy in working individually with writers from first through fourth grade. She often works with reluctant writers, making it her goal to help them see themselves as authors. "Each student comes with a different set of strengths and next steps... I have to find ways to build relationships with them in ways that allow me to truly understand and support them," she explains.
For Sharon, the ultimate reward comes from witnessing the resilience and progress of her students through their long-term growth. "There is nothing quite like seeing a student who once struggled with a concept in my classroom walk across the graduation stage years later as a confident, capable graduate. Knowing I played even a small part in building that foundation is the greatest reward a teacher can ask for."
The Strength of Community: A Sense of Home
When asked to describe her Pike experience in three words, Sharon chooses community, growth, and joy. For her, Pike is not just a workplace; it has been a home and a family that provides a profound sense of belonging, and she values the incredible relationships she has built with colleagues who have transitioned from coworkers to dear friends. For Sharon, Pike provides a powerhouse of support, and one she encourages the next generation of teachers to lean into.
“If I had to narrow down the Pike Community to one defining element, it would be the profound sense of belonging. It’s that unmistakable feeling you get the moment you walk through the doors each morning. The knowledge that you are part of a community that truly, deeply cares for one another.”
A Fond Farewell: Embracing the Next Chapter
As Sharon prepares for her next chapter, she is leaning into the "luxury of time." Her future includes slow mornings with a cappuccino, travel to exotic places with her husband, and workout routines that don’t feel rushed. She is also eager for the flexibility to spend more time with her grandchildren, who live in Austin, Texas. Sharon approaches retirement with a sense of openness and adventure, finding excitement in the unknown and trusting that the next page will unfold naturally.
This new rhythm feels like the ultimate “imagination vacation” come true; the very sense of stillness and peace Sharon has so often guided her students toward in the Lower School will now be something she carries into retirement. While the Pike community will deeply miss her steady daily presence, the compassionate mentorship and culture of thoughtful reflection that Sharon helped cultivate will remain a lasting and meaningful part of Pike for years to come.
We wish Sharon all the best as she moves into this well-deserved retirement, and we thank her for 24 years of dedication, leadership, and the many ways she has shaped Pike’s community along the way.