After 38 years, Lori Ross retired in June
Published in the Sept. 2-15, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Lori Ross, a retired teacher at Los Paseos Elementary School, received the 2015 Teacher of the Year award for the Morgan Hill Unified School District. She will be honored with other teachers from the county at the 46th Annual Teacher Recognition Celebration for Santa Clara County. Photo courtesy Lori Ross
Lori Ross has been a teacher for 38 years. As she recently retired from the Morgan Hill Unified School District after years teaching first, third and fourth grades at Los Paseos Elementary School, she was selected as the 2015 “Teacher of the Year” for the district. She will be honored Oct. 1 at the 46th Annual Teacher Recognition Celebration for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
Morgan Hill Life asked Ross about her career and how she is enjoying her new retirement activities.
What was your reaction when you learned that you received the “teacher of the year” award ?
I was excited and honored to receive this prestigious award from my colleagues. It is a great feeling to be recognized by others for all your hard work. This award is the frosting on a “delicious” career.
What got you started in the teaching profession and why did you choose to teach first, third and fourth grades?
It might sound a bit corny, but I’ve loved school since the first day of kindergarten. My mother recently reminded me how I would go out into the backyard and put rocks in a circle and talk to them as if they were my students. My favorite birthday gift was a bulletin board and construction paper. Every month I changed that bulletin board to match the season or holiday. When I got to fourth grade, I just loved everything about my teacher, Miss Urcioli. The way she taught, how she stayed in at lunch to help me with math, how we could complete phonics books at our own pace, how she would sit on the corner of students desks, and her wonderful sling back shoes. At that point I knew I would teach. I never wavered, went right to college, graduated with my credential and started teaching at 23. I wanted to be just like Miss Urcioli, and there are many things I did in my class that were in fact just like Miss Urcioli.
I started teaching first grade for two reasons. First, I loved teaching reading, and secondly, the students were shorter than I was. I had the opportunity to move to third grade when a teacher retired. At that time, third grade was the highest grade at Los Paseos. When class size reduction came to third grade, 20 students was a dream come true. Later, my principal requested I move to fourth grade. I found the perfect team mate and loved the fourth grade curriculum.
What would you say was the best aspects of the profession of teaching for you personally?
I was so lucky to be a part of the Los Paseos “family” for 30 years. Some of the best parts of teaching are helping students be successful, watching them grow, and knowing I have influenced them in different ways. I loved planning curriculum, thematic units, and activities students really remembered. Teaching reading has always been my favorite. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues and student teachers.
What challenges do new teachers have these days and what advice would you give them from your experience as a teacher?
Teaching has become a very demanding profession. Teachers are required to teach even higher grade level standards with challenging curriculum. There are large class sizes with more students with special needs. With that being said, I would tell a new teacher there is nothing better than seeing the twinkle in a student’s eye when they learn a new concept, a hug from a student, a note saying you’re the best teacher, thanks from parents, and being part of a school community.
What do you plan to do in your retirement? (Will you continue to be involved in education in some aspect?)
I plan to travel. I spent the first week of school in Yosemite. I have a cruise to Mexico planned for November, and a trip to China in March. I will attend as many women’s college and professional basketball games as possible.
I am sure I will always be involved in education in some way. I am anxious to be a grandma, and be a “grandma helper” in class.
How have schools and the public’s perception of education changed since you started?
The education of students is still the same. School is still all about teaching academic and thinking skills, encouraging students to be life long learners, and quality citizens.
