August 2014

Dear Parents,

I am looking forward to teaching 4th grade this year. This will by my16th year teaching in the elementary here at Maranatha. Before moving up to the elementary level, I taught in the half-day pre-k program.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor’s degree In Early Childhood education. I have a broad field major that covers both pre-school and elementary education. I have taught in both public and private schools. In all I have been teaching for the past 29 years.

I was born and raised in Wisconsin. At the age of 15 I chose to accept Christ as my savior,with the help of an older woman who had befriended me while attending vacation bible school. I moved to Colorado after graduation and was soon engaged and married to my college sweetheart, Don. We have had a wonderful 34 years of marriage. We have three children Jessica, 32 (Married to Ryan Jacob), Dustin, 30 (married to Laura Lindsey White), and Caleb, 22 in his last year at Nebraska Wesleyan University, majoring in Musical Theater. Jessica has graduated from college and has lived in Spain as a missionary with Covenant Missions. She currently lives in Boston and is a Director of Human Resource for the Boys and Girls Club. She also dances with a Dance Company. She is a Maranatha graduate. Dustin has graduated from JohnBrownUniversity with a major in Journalism. He works a Logan’s Steakhouse as their Director of Development and Marketingin Nashville. He is also a Maranatha graduate. I have also been blessed with 2 grandchildren. Martha is the 6 month old daughter of Jessica and Ryan, Jack is the 5 month old son of Dustin and Laura.

We have lived in Kansas for 18 years, having moved here from Rhode Island. We love Kansas and we are happy that God chose to relocate us here.

I ama 7 1/2 year Breast cancer survivorhaving gone through a double mastectomy as well as Chemotherapy, I have seen Gods’ hand move in amazing ways, and I feel so blessed to still be here.

I have attached information that should tell you all you need to know. However, in case you have more questions I am available before and after school. You may leave a voicemail on my phone and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I encourage you to share your concerns with me. It is important that we resolve any problems as soon as possible to better meet the need of your child.

I teach from a positive perspective, focusing on what the student should be doing rather than telling them what they should not be doing. I encourage my students to learn from their mistakes, rather than get discouraged from them. I love teaching fourth grade. I love my students every year. I enjoy working with my parents to help their child have a successful year. I believe every child has a unique and special plan designed by God, I hope to help them develop and grow into this as their walk with their Savior deepens.

I pray fourth grade will be an opportunity for your child to grow both academically and spiritually.

God Bless you and your child this year!

Sincerely,

Lori Tracy