Meet Sheldon MAC” McLean | Educator & Consultant”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheldon “MAC” McLean and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheldon “MAC”, what’s your definition for success?
Defining success is deeply personal, but for me, it’s all about making a positive impact on others’ lives. Success isn’t just about achieving goals for myself; it’s about helping others improve their quality of life. Whether it’s through education, inspiring others, or collaborating on meaningful projects, success means leaving a lasting, positive mark on the world around me. It’s about making a difference and contributing to the well-being of others in any way I can.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a passionate educator and consultant that takes pride in the projects I’ve undertaken that have a positive impact on both students and clients. What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to preparation and my dedication to my goals. Despite not majoring in music during my undergraduate studies, I discovered my passion for music and its potential to make a difference in spaces spanning from my immediate sphere, to the global community. This realization led me to study diligently to master the necessary skills and crafts to fulfill my mission of creating inspired experiences.

I’ve prioritized youth development and community engagement in all my projects. It’s an honor to have received recognition such as a Grammy Music Educator Award nomination and being a Top 5 Finalist for Broward County Public School’s Teacher of the Year, which further validates my commitment to education.

“Sound Check” also holds a significant place in my story. Together with my wife, Dr. Erin McLean, we co-founded The Sound Check Foundation, driven by our shared belief in the transformative power of education. My academic journey, spanning from earning a Bachelor’s from Florida A&M University and a Master’s from The Florida State University, to pursuing a doctorate at The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, reflects my dedication to academic excellence and personal growth.

My mission is clear: to use innovative approaches to support growth, and inspire questioning, exploration, and leadership.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If this is a friend that is not from, and has never been to south Florida, we would probably check into a beach hotel. One of the treasures of the area is our access to the water!

Depending on the day, we would probably do breakfast at “Just Spoons” on Broward boulevard, Donna’s, or Little Hen. I could name a million spots. It really depends on the person and the season. I’m a foodie, so we would have plenty of options. Lunches could be anywhere from Beach House in Pompano, to Smitty’s on Sistrunk to Vegan Tierra in Cooper City.

At some point we would have to hit the gym at Tailored Fitness or I-Can Fitness. Or maybe run the Parks in Plantation. But unfortunately, fortunately, we would probably follow it up with Acai bowls or hitting one of the bakery’s in the city.

We’d probably see who is down to do a yacht charter and hit the intercostal for a few hours.

For dinner, we might pop down to Dukanoo, hit Louie Bossie, Eddie V’s or Coté.

As far as food trucks we have to see if Thick Mama’s or Dynamic Cuisines is on the road.

That’s probably enough food choices to start with, but as you can see, the list could go on and on.

I’m not really a club owl, but we might hit a few lounges, live shows, check out some of our sports teams, or see what day parties are keeping.

It really just depends on the person, season, vibe and BUDGET!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout first and foremost to my wife, Dr. Erin McLean. Her unwavering support, boundless encouragement, and inspiring dedication to her work have been the cornerstone of my journey. Additionally, I want to express my deep appreciation to all my friends, who have consistently inspired and supported me along the way. Their friendship and shared experiences have been invaluable. Lastly, I want to acknowledge one of my high school teachers, Mr. Richard Beckford, whose mentorship and guidance left a lasting impression on me and contributed to my growth and development. Each of these individuals has played a significant role in shaping my path, and I am grateful for their influence and support.

Website: www.soundcheckbeheard.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundcheck.beheard/?hl=en

Image Credits
Wisler Elias