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Celebrating Educators

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October Teacher of the Month

REHOBOTH—Lorrinda Horace, a second-grade teacher at Rehoboth-Christian Elementary School, took time out of her busy school schedule to share her thoughts on winning Camille’s Sidewalk Café, “Teacher of the Month” and shares what she likes to do in her spare time, when she’s not  teaching.

There were more than 40 entries for October “Teacher of the Month” title and Horace received three nominations.

Sun: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Horace: My name is Lorrinda Horace, I am 42-years-old and I live in St. Michaels, Ariz. I have two sons and one daughter. I really started off working at a small Christian school, called Hilltop, and that is where I always wanted to be at, a small Christian school. I took some time out and home schooled my children for a couple of years. Years later, a second grade position opened up at Rehoboth and I took it. I have my degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and that is all that I wanted to do is become a teacher. My future goal is to get my Master’s Degree and receive my Masters in Reading Program.

Sun: What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Horace: It is at the elementary level where I enjoy because I like to take a concept, something that is a big mystery to the students, whether it is addition, regrouping, taking symbols that make no sense, and putting them together. You teach them through strategies, different methods and it is that time … that second grade is the class that you see it the most. You get a lot of “Oh! I understand now!”or “Oh, that is what you do!”

Sun: Describe your students in one word.

Horace: Innovative …They are! Second grade has always been second grade. They love to look at things a different way and take a part things. They love to help solve problems and they are quick.

Sun: What is one memorable moment that you experienced while teaching at Rehoboth?

Horace: I will have to share the one from last week. I had gotten ready and I didn’t know whether to wear my loafers or flats that day. I went to look for my daughter and I asked her, “Hey what shoes do you think I should wear?” And I am thinking, why am I asking her? They are just shoes. Eventually, I ended up doing my own thing and I was sitting in the car, I looked down and realize my shoes are two different colors! (laughs) The students loved it.

Sun: How do you feel about being recently selected as “Teacher of the Month?”

Horace: To me, I was like wow, I never win anything. I just do what I have to do, and here I am winning something so I was really surprised. I immediately texted my children and they were so excited. It was very welcoming to me because it was a hard weekend because my husband had just had a heart attack, and I was very thankful. The timing was wonderful.

Sun: Who was your role model growing up?

Horace: My mom. She’s always wanted, I think as every mother does, for your offspring to go further than you did. She never finished her education. She was able to stay home and become caretaker because her mom taught her all the care taking duties. She was limited in that way and she always wanted more for us. I am thankful that she kept pushing me.

Sun: What do you see that is different from your parent’s generation, to your generation, to today’s generation as you teach?

Horace: My dad had the boarding school education, he didn’t have a choice and he was shipped off to Oregon. He tells me things that he had to endure. Being away for such a long time, and he didn’t have that parental involvement. I compare the days to where he was taught to today, where I am in this school, where parents are such a big part of education. The parents are here constantly doing volunteer work. They are practically beating down my door, “What else can I do?” They are sorting out books for me, punching out flash cards, changing out folders, and if something needs grading, they are willing to help. I love that about this school, which is very different from what my dad had.

Sun: What do you do in your spare time?

Horace: I love to bake. I have a huge recipe collection. I just love to cook and bake. I also have tons of books because I love to read. During the summer months, I have my little garden patch and garden pots. All of that consumes all of my time.

Sun: What is some advice that you would like to give your second grade class?

Horace: I would like for them to grasp what they can about what they are learning in class. Keep reading and continue to write every day. I always encourage them to keep their journal. To memorize their math memorization facts. That is so important because we always hear from the teachers above us that they don’t have that. They struggle in that. Continue to come to school and do your homework.

 

Rehoboth-Christian Elementary School Principal Jim Holwerda describes Horace as a positive person and a team player.

“She is also a very caring person to her students and spends a lot of time in preparation.  She knows her students well and that only comes because she works hard,” he said.

Camille’s Sidewalk Café will pick a candidate at the end of each month during the 2015 - 2016 school year. To nominate your teacher, fill out an entry form at Camille’s Sidewalk Café, 306 S. 2nd St. in Gallup.

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