Our "Employee Spotlight" series aims to showcase the unique personalities, talents, and stories that contribute to the success of our district. This section celebrates the incredible individuals who make our Lansing USD469 community thrive.
Amber Lovejoy, First- Grade Teacher
Question: How long have you worked in Lansing USD469?
Answer: 2 years
Question: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the role you have within the school district?
Answer: I have been teaching for 7 years, but Lansing is home. I graduated from Lansing High School in 2008. Once I decided to become a teacher, I wanted to come back to Lansing. This is my 2nd year in the district, and my 1st year as team lead for the 1st grade team. As team lead, I help support teachers at my grade level and staff at the school with various needs.
Question: What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do in the school district?
Answer: I love working in the district that I grew up in. I had so many teachers when I went to school that had a profound impact on me, coming back to Lansing was the natural thing to do. I enjoy working with all student no matter what their ability level. Seeing the impact I make, and how it can go on for years, and is more than a test score (the academic growth is so rewarding as well).
I also love being able to support my team, being someone they know they can come to as a teacher or as a person. As much as I support my team, they also support me! Having an amazing team makes teaching in Lansing an even more rewarding career, as I couldn't do it without them. Teaching in the community where I live has been so rewarding- being able to see families that I have made connections with in the community.
Question: When you're not working, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
Answer: I love crafting, reading, and spending time with my family.
Question: What is something unusual about you that most people don't know?
Answer: When my husband and I got married, we got married on a cruise ship to the Bahamas.
Question: Could you share a particularly heartwarming or memorable experience you've had while working with students or colleagues?
Answer: A student that I had in class had been really struggling to read on grade level when they first came to me. The student qualified for intense intervention (tier 3, below grade level). At some point during the school year, something just clicked. They took off in reading and were not just on grade level, but ended the school year above grade level. The look on their face when they saw their score, and I was able to tell them the went way above their goal, was priceless.
The "ah-ha" moments in teaching is truly what make the hard work worth it.
Question: What piece of advice would you like to offer to students to help them succeed and make the most of their educational journey?
Answer: Live in the moment. Too often as kids, we want to grow up and move on. Enjoy yourself while you are young and don't have so many responsibilities.