Lucia Lalor - EL ELA

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching for more than 20 years. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to teach Spanish, Math, English, and Culinary Arts. 

What is a major goal you want to accomplish this year?

One of my major goals this year is to help students become responsible learners who take ownership of their own education. I want my students to understand that their success is not something that simply happens to them—they have the ability to actively shape it.

I plan to conduct student-led data conferences, where I meet individually with students to review their current performance, celebrate their growth, identify areas for improvement, and set or adjust learning milestones.

I also want to help students build an evidence-based study toolkit. We will explicitly learn and practice effective strategies such as Cornell-style notes, spaced repetition, flashcard retrieval, brain dumps, organization, and goal setting. My goal is for students to leave my classroom knowing not only what to learn, but how to learn.

Why do you enjoy teaching?

I enjoy teaching because there is nothing better than watching a student realize what they are truly capable of achieving.

For me, teaching is not simply about sharing information; it is about giving students the tools, confidence, and skills they need to drive their own success. I love helping students look at their progress and recognize how much they have grown.

By teaching strong study habits, classroom routines, and personal responsibility, I get to watch students transform from passive learners into confident, independent young people who take pride in their work.

Seeing that lightbulb moment—when a student realizes, “I can do this!”—is one of the greatest rewards of teaching and exactly why I continue to love what I do.

What are you most excited about for this upcoming school year?

I am most excited about helping my students take the driver's seat in their own education this year.

We are going to make learning more meaningful by looking at our progress and data together. I cannot wait to see the pride students feel when they track their own growth and have clear evidence that their hard work is paying off.

From the very beginning of the year, we will establish strong classroom routines, study habits, and goal-setting practices. I am excited to build a classroom community of independent, responsible, and confident learners who know how to study effectively, work toward their goals, celebrate their growth, and take pride in their success.