As the seventh grade science teacher at Harris Middle School, Loryn Windwehen doesn’t look at teaching as a job, she feels it’s her responsibility.
“I knew that’s why I was put on earth, to be a teacher, Windwehen said.
As a science teacher, she has found the perfect match in middle school students.
“They’re quirky, just like me and I understand them,” Windwehen said.
She motivates her students with humor and encouragement.
“She doesn’t use really big words like some teachers. She uses cool words like ‘beast’. I actually want to come to science first period. I’m just waiting for the bell so I can get here,” said seventh grader Ryan Rash.
“She makes class exciting,” said seventh grader Caitlyn Leal.
This teacher motivates her students with humor.
Loryn Windwehen also helped develop an outdoor classroom. She turned an acre of dirt and weeds behind the school into a large garden with different kinds of beds and forming a Green Team club that maintains the gardens.
Seventh grade student Jared Mullinix likes to spend time in the garden.
“My friend and I have a broccoli plant which we just picked,” he said pointing out his plant.
Mullinix loves working in the garden and also seeing the smiles it brings to other students, especially the special needs children who have one of the gardens.
“Óne of my favorite things is to see them out here. And they're able to pick their crops and have big smiles on their faces, and it's kinda cool,” said Mullinix.
“We have a veggie garden, butterfly garden and tactile garden. We formed the Green Team club and it's become bigger and bigger. Kids love it. Teachers love it. It brings a lot of positive energy to the campus,” Windwehen said.
Just like the teacher who helped create it.
