Lorrie Chappell has spent more than 30 years serving students in Lake County, but her calling began much earlier.

“When I was in second grade, my family moved from PA,” she says. “I remember struggling to adjust academically.”

With her father’s help, she began to understand that she learned differently from many of her peers, and that awareness later shaped her philosophy as an educator.

After having children of her own and recognizing similar learning styles, Lorrie began volunteering at her child’s school. In August 1994, she became a teacher’s assistant for Lake County Schools and worked with students who struggled to grasp concepts unless they were presented differently.

“I came to love what I did and became an advocate for those who learned differently,” she says.

While continuing to work, she earned her degree in elementary education and later a master’s in reading and curriculum. She became a certified teacher in 2006 and has remained committed to second grade, a level she considers foundational.

“This grade level is one of the most critical foundations to educational success,” she says. “Without a strong foundation, cracks will form.”

Lorrie describes her classroom as a community built on encouragement and perseverance.

“There are many reasons that I love working with my students, but one of the most powerful reasons is that I get to witness the smiles on their faces when they know they’ve ‘got it,’” she says.

Her impact often extends far beyond the school year. A former student once wrote to thank her for inspiring a lifelong love of reading during a difficult season in her family’s life. The message reaffirmed what Lorrie believes about her profession.

“Teach them for who they are, not for the score that can be achieved,” she says. “We all learn differently, but we all can learn.”