Carolyn McKenzie Lawrence was an elementary school teacher, reading supervisor, curriculum resource teacher, assistant principal for instruction, and elementary principal for 32 years. In 1962 she was nominated for Outstanding Teacher of the Year in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1966, she became a reading supervisor for a county in Alabama. She was named to the Professional Practices Council in Florida in 1973, was Principal of the Year in her school district in 1987, and was named one of Five Outstanding Educators in l989 by the National Parent Teacher Association. She has been a member of Phi Delta Kappa, ASCD, NEA, and NAESP.