BY LARRY DUPEE
Special to the Times
A Lake Butler native who has dedicated her life to special needs students at Lake Butler schools has been chosen LBES Teacher of the Year 2021.
Loree Rodgers teaches self-contained ESE classes at LBES to students with special needs that require a controlled environment for an optimum learning experience. She has taught K-1st grade for seventeen years, then taught all grades of ESE classes at LBES.
Growing up in Lake Butler, Rodgers married B.B Rodgers, her husband of thirty-three years. She spent several years as a housewife raising 4 children. While pregnant with her fifth child she did her coursework at St. Leo University, earning her BA in Elementary Education, along with certificates in Special Education and reading. She graduated in 1988.
Rodgers said “I love teaching. My kids are special. Focusing on an individual child’s specific needs makes them feel confident in a safe learning environment.” She likes to see kids learn academically and grow socially. She said “Patience is my strength. I enjoy dealing with challenging behaviors.”
When told that she had been selected as T.O.Y she said that she had been nominated before…but this was the first time she had been selected. Feeling surprised and excited she said, “I love this school. The whole staff is wonderful it is a second home for all of us. That’s why teachers stay here.”
Feeling especially honored to be chosen as LBES T.O.Y she said, ”I think that every teacher here is worthy of being T.O.Y. I’m no different than any of them. That’s why am so honored to be chosen to represent them as the T.O.Y.”
Riser plans to spend her career at LBES. During a shortage of bus drivers last year she spent months getting ready for her test. She became a fully trained, licensed bus driver and drives her route every day. This dedication to her passion for teaching to the best of her ability makes for a long day. Starting and ending with a bus ride, as well as, class time Riser feels that she has developed an extended family sharing mutual love and support as she watches them grow up.
In her spare time she enjoys watching her kids and grandkids play sports. She also plays the piano and organ at Harmony Baptist Church. She has played the piano since she learned at age five. When in her teens she started playing the organ at church where she still plays every weekend.
When asked for her opinion of her peers she said “ There is no difference between us here at LBES. We all work toward a common goal, to be the best we can for those who need us the most… the children. That’s why I am so proud to be chosen to represent them as T.O.Y 2021.”
