SANFORD — At each school, Sharon created an intentional culture.
“I initially thought it was a Sanford thing, but I learned over time working with her, it was a Sharon thing. She worked hard to create a culture of respect,” said former colleague and teacher Debbie Andrews. “Whether you were a teacher, an ed tech or the custodian, Sharon created a climate that embraced everyone, no matter what position you played. Staff, kids and parents were all part of this family.”
The nonprofit Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation is hoping to raise $5,000 toward the future Sharon Remick Library at the Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School.
A lifelong resident and second-generation educator, Sharon spent 50 years in education, with 45 of those years in the Sanford school system, retiring as principal at Lafayette School in 2020.
As an elementary teacher and principal. Sharon was well-known and regarded for her annual “Cake Walk” staff event, her Halloween felt-board story and her collection of holiday sweaters, always dressing for the occasion.
Perhaps she was most proud of her work with the Terrific Kid Program, Beat the Winter Blues, and the spring Reading Events in the park, plus the Early Learning Events, which involved local child care programs, St. Thomas, and public school. But not everyone knew how quietly generous she was with her students.
“She would go buy clothes for kids, buy books. No problem. Whatever was needed.” said Debbie, a Reading Recovery teacher 1995-1996 at Lincoln School. “She worked from dawn to well past dusk. That’s Sharon, so dedicated, so generous.”
To the students, Mrs. Remick was always visible, whether it was in the classroom, the cafeteria or helping with buses. Not to mention countless spaghetti dinners and ice cream socials in her spare time, and extracurricular community fund-raisers and benefits.
“She was kind, gentle and caring, she could also be stern to children who perhaps needed it. She would deal with them and not let anything fester,” said Gale Michaud. “She was just fabulous; kids, staff and parents all loved her.”
Former Lincoln School teaching colleague Celeste Steele said she still thinks of her friend Sharon whenever she hears the sound of heels walking down a tile hallway.
“She was a fast walker. And whenever you heard the clicking of her tiny heels, you knew Sharon was on her way, whether that was to help you or solve whatever the issue was. She was a woman on a mission!”
To the teachers, she was a trusted leader and mentor “who always had our back,” said Gale, former kindergarten teacher at MCS. “She was very organized, very on top of everything. She was a good source for teachers, she had our backs. Always.”
“Whatever needed to be done to help kids learn, Sharon was there,” said former colleague Betsy St. Cyr, who would eventually become the Director of Special Education and Superintendent. “She’s really devoted and she really cares about the people who work in the school and cares about the kids. She had a wonderful perspective because she was also a town resident. For example, she knew and appreciated how the schools and taxes would affect residents.”
Sharon started teaching in Sanford in 1974, a transitional first-grade teacher at the Lincoln School. Even though she could have retired as principal of MCS, she was asked to lead Lafayette School until it closed.
Her family was always very active in Sanford. Her parents owned Bowl-o-Rama (which her brother Owen Martin operates now), and her mother Mrs. Leatrice Martin was a first-grade teacher. Sharon and her husband Frank have two children, Karen and Darrell. Today, she and many of her former colleagues still maintain their friendships and even an active book club with her closest friends.
“Wherever she went, she created the same climate. It was a Sharon thing,” said Debbie. “Sharon has given her entire life to the community of Sanford. I’m thrilled for Sharon to receive this recognition after ALL that she has given to the community!”