About Me

My name is Lori and I have been teaching with love and laughter for 18 years. I've taught every grade from Pre-k through fifth grade. My personality is best suited for primary aged students because I can be quite wacky! 

Why did I become a teacher?

I am sure that I became a teacher for many of the same reasons as all of you.  I entered the teaching profession because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of my students and their families, just as my favorite teachers had done for me.  Teaching is more than just a job to me.  It's a calling.  It's an ever-surprising mix of grueling hard work and ecstatic successes, both big and small.  I knew that teaching would be a challenging vocation, but I also knew that my personality was properly suited for this profession.  When the job gets tough, sometimes it's only your sense of humor that can keep you moving forward with any sanity!  Each day I go in front of my students, I never know what I will say or do that will leave a lasting impression on them.  Each day, I bring the full force of my personality and expertise to the classroom, in the hopes of inspiring my students and molding their young, impressionable minds. 

What is one of the biggest joys you have had teaching? 

This is the hardest question to answer, because every single day is filled with "the biggest joy."  My students intrigue me and I find almost everything they do fascinating.  They always have something interesting to say and their minds are always working.  I would say that coming to school each day is "the biggest joy."  Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you have made a positive difference in the life of a child.  When a child asks me a question, that tells me he is listening and wants to know more (or doesn't understand so please try again!)  When he gives me a smile, that tells me he finds something to love about me.  When his face lights up with that Ah Ha! glow, that tells me I have turned on the light for him.  There isn't any feeling in the world that compares with these moments.  I cherish the funny things they say, the silly things they do, the questions they ask, and the stories they write.  The hugs, smiles, and laughter keep me going and remind me of why I became a teacher in the first place.  Moreover, the innocent enthusiasm of my students has kept me young through the years, as they remind me to smile even through the most frustrating moments.  Being a teacher and experiencing these things on a daily basis is my biggest joy.

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I am proud to say that I was nominated for and won teacher of the year at my school, for my region, and for my state. 

This is me with some school VIPs. I'm the one in the middle.

Thanks for reading all about me!