Elementary teacher of year helps students grow

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 7/14/16

On the last day of school, 2nd grade teacher Lorraine Gagnon was surprised by the Director of Elementary Education, with news she had been chosen as the Teacher of the Year for Warwick’s elementary …

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Elementary teacher of year helps students grow

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On the last day of school, 2nd grade teacher Lorraine Gagnon was surprised by the Director of Elementary Education, with news she had been chosen as the Teacher of the Year for Warwick’s elementary schools.

Gagnon, 59, currently teaches at Lippitt Elementary, but began her career in 1978, teaching first grade at a Catholic school. Having received her degree in psychology with a concentration in elementary education from Rhode Island College, Gagnon went on to earn a master’s in special education at Providence College.

She began subbing in Warwick at Aldrich Junior High while working on her master’s, but left the profession to raise her children. She returned to Warwick 23 years ago, teaching for 11 years at Wickes Elementary. She has spent the last 12 years at Lippitt Elementary. Altogether, Gagnon has been teaching for 28 years.

Lippitt Principal, Martin Susla, who took the position four years ago, nominated Gagnon for teacher of the year, saying she “exemplifies” a great teacher.

“It doesn’t matter how challenging a student can be, either academically or behaviorally, she instinctively knows how to help every student grow,” Susla said.

Not only does Gagnon excel in the classroom, Susla explained that she is also making school and district-wide efforts as well.

Gagnon was a member of the second grade team for writing both the math and ELA curriculum to align Common Core State Standards; she is also the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) coach, or the “PBIS Queen” according to Susla.

“I don’t see this as just a job but a profession. You must be called to do it because it truly is all encompassing. It is a lifestyle,” Gagnon said. “It is quite humbling to be named teacher of the year, especially when there are so many excellent teachers here in Warwick. Teachers are really Warwick’s greatest assets.”

She stressed that although she may be the one honored, there are numerous teachers throughout Warwick’s elementary schools worthy of the praise and deserving to be teacher of the year. Gagnon believes Warwick teachers are a group of “wonderful, creative and dedicated” people.

Gagnon thinks her “mothering instinct” led her to become a teacher. She especially enjoyed teaching younger students because they are so enthusiastic about learning and still think “you’re wonderful.” She finds first and second grade especially rewarding because these students show so much “phenomenal” progress throughout one school year.

In the classroom her goal is to ensure students become independent thinkers and problem solvers.

She said, “In this day and age when it is so much easier to get or give the answers or find it online, I want my students to think about it, to start making connections and leaps on their own. To come up with their own conclusions.”

Gagnon is now in the running for Warwick’s overall teacher of the year and then state teacher of the year.

Susla said that he and the entire Lippitt learning community are proud of Gagnon’s accomplishment.

Gagnon aims to focus on continuing to meet the needs of her students and how to better herself and her classroom. Although school is out for summer, Gagnon said this is time for her to regroup and she has already begun working on plans for next year.

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