First-grade teacher Lundgren spends part of her day outside of the regular classroom to work one-on-one with struggling readers.
By Sara Quam
Lisa Lundgren has enjoyed the rewards of teaching during her 16 years in the profession.
She now has the award of Luverne Teacher of the Year to go along with all her personal rewards.
"ItÕs really an award that belongs to so many teachers at our school Ñ they all come to school every day and work hard to do the best job they can," she said.
A Harrisburg, S.D., native, Lundgren has taught first grade in Luverne for 13 years. For the past five years, sheÕs taught the class half days and spent the other half in Reading Recovery.
"Reading Recovery is a one-to-one program that helps children make sense of the process of learning to read," Lundgren said.
Reading Recovery is essentially a tutoring model that provides daily 30-minute lessons for beginning readers in first grade. It focuses on early intervention, identifying children before problems begin.
"I love what I do. I like the challenge of working with struggling readers. ItÕs so rewarding to see kids make sense of the process of learning to read," she said. "To see it all come together in a childÕs eyes is truly rewarding."
She started preparing for her career as a student at Augustana College where she graduated with a double major in elementary education and special education in 1984. She went on to get her masterÕs degree in curriculum and instruction in 1993. The Reading Recovery training is ongoing but was first completed in 1998.
Lundgren's specialized training is something thatÕs benefited the entire elementary school, according to Shirley Harrison, past Teacher of the Year winner and award committee member.
"SheÕs a mentor to her fellow teachers," Harrison said. "SheÕs also always looking for new ideas on how to help children really understand."
"She is so good with the reading program and just has a calm presence and gentle manner in the classroom," Harrison said.
Training for Reading Recovery is extensive and high pressure, Harrison said, because teachers have to be evaluated and must demonstrate their teaching from behind a two-way mirror to keep their accreditation.
Even though Lundgren spends part of her day outside of the regular classroom setting for Reading Recovery, she said she enjoys the things first-graders learn.
"ItÕs kind of like life," she said. "You work hard, take time to have fun and try to do whatÕs right. ItÕs not that simple, of course, but itÕs a start."
Nominations for Teacher of the Year are invited from all LEA members, and the new Teacher of the Year is decided by the past five Teachers of the Year.
Friend of education
Along with the Teacher of the Year award, Luverne Schools announced that Lila Bauer is the new Friend of Education.