Looking at Lorenzo Arredondo’s second year teaching at Daffron Elementary wouldn’t be complete without looking at the teaching profiles of the 2003-2004 fourth grade teachers. The teachers were (from left to right):
Jim Yerger:
A Dallas area native, Mr. Yerger knows the area well and is teaching fourth grade at Daffron. Mr. Yerger previously worked with the special education department at Daffron. He once pursued law enforcement and is well versed in science. Mr. Yerger started teaching at Daffron in the fall of 2002 with Lorenzo Arredondo and Amy Gray.
Lorenzo Arredondo:
A 2002 graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, Mr. Arredondo taught at Daffron Elementary for 3 years. He taught two years in fourth grade taught second grade for one year. His college major in interdisciplinary studies also included a specialization in mathematics. Lorenzo hoped to teach middle school math one day and did when he moved to the Boston area. Lorenzo’s ambitions include entering politics after teaching and fighting to improve the educational system.
Philosophy of Education:
“Mathematics is a subject that people either love it or absolutely hate it. Talk to many adults and they’ll freely tell you that they were “never good at it” and chuckle or just shrug off its importance. It is because of this and other negative feeling people have shared about their education that made me want to become a teacher. I set out to be a teacher that did more than just lecture. I wanted to demonstrate, creates imagination and enthusiasm, and inspire every single student to achieve something much greater than they could ever imagine.
Children need to feel that all of the rules and lessons are really designed with their best interest in mind. I will devote time, humor, everything from multiple representations, to manipulatives, to real-world examples, to dressing up as a historical figure, attending sporting events, and cheering the kids on throughout the day if it will mean that that child would believe that someone in this world cares about them and their dreams and hopes that they achieve it. To just educate a student is not enough–teachers and parents alike must empower children to use their education to make the most of themselves.”
Special Moment in Teaching:
“There are so many moments that are great but one that I remember from my first year of teaching was that one the last day after school, long after the students in other classes had been dismissed, many of my students remained in class. Locked in hugs, and many kids in tears, I knew from all of the pictures I was taking to all of the thank-you’s from parents and students alike that I had truly succeeded in teaching students, while really reaching them as well. One mom had noted after the first day of school that she could never remember her son being so excited to do homework. It truly was one remarkable year to have as a first year teacher.”
Cory Jensen:
An Iowa native, Cory Jensen began his first year of teaching during the 2003-2004 school year at Daffron. Mr. Jensen is currently teaching fifth grade at Daffron in Plano.
Amy Gray:
Mrs. Gray started working at Daffron in the fall of 2002, along with Jim Yerger and Lorenzo Arredondo. Prior to Daffron, Amy Gray had worked in Jones, Oklahoma for four years, and Richardson, Texas for one year. Mrs. Gray is currently teaching in Frisco, Texas.
Philosophy of Education:
“I always try to encourage students to do their best. I think every child needs to feel safe in their classroom. I believe in the power of a relationship with your students. It has been said, and I believe it…if you build a relationship with your students they will learn so much more. I think children learn in different ways. As a teacher, I try to reach all of those ways. If a student is not understanding one way, I need to try a different approach. I think every child can be taught.”
Special Moment in Teaching:
“I had a student in OK that came to my third grade class, as a foster child, having NEVER been in a school before in his whole life. He was 9, and had been locked in his room. He taught himself to read by watching Sesame Street. He had NO social skills. By the end of the year, he was doing the same work as everyone else in my class. He no longer yelled out, and I actually enjoyed having him in my class. I had to approach everything with him differently. In June of that year, he went back to live with his mother. She had hocked everything while he was gone. In September his foster mother had him come and spend the weekend with his other foster brothers and sister. By September, he had regressed so much, he locked himself in the closet and refused to come out. I often wonder what ever happened to Daniel. I also wonder what he could become if he is only given half of a chance.”
Terri Stout (Team Leader):
Terri Stout is currently teaching fourth grade in Plano. Mrs. Stout has previously worked in second grade at Daffron Elementary School. Mrs. Stout serves as the fourth grade team leader, making sure that the team works together to serve the students and directly reports to the principal.