School: Lafayette Meadows Elementary

Grade/subject teaching: Fifth grade

Education: Indiana University; working on my master’s with Indiana Wesleyan

Years teaching: 21

City Born: Anderson

City Raised: Anderson, Pendleton, Fort Wayne, Coram, N.Y.

Current hometown: Fort Wayne

Family: Married 28 years, two daughters: Abby, Kinsey

Last book read: “The

Hunger Games Trilogy” by Suzanne Collins

Favorite teacher: Mrs.Guenthenspberger (second grade) – Yes, that’s how you spell her name. It was our first spelling word of the year and I still remember it!

Favorite class in school: All of them!

Favorite teaching memory: Anytime a student does well or the “light” turns on

How has teaching changed during your tenure? Tremendously! It is much more centered around technology, problem-solving, differentiation, and collaboration. The need for a focus on 21st-century skills is changing the face of education rapidly. I find the changes challenging, yet exciting. Technology is changing our world exponentially; we are preparing students for jobs that don’t even exist today.

Nominated by: Bobbie Huffman

Reason for nomination: “My son started Lafayette Meadows when he was in the fifth grade and was different from the other kids. At his old elementary, they said he was just “hyper” but Mrs. Paul knew that he had issues. She had him tested and found out he had high functioning autism. We have started my son on medication and his grades went from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s. I think that she is an awesome teacher and really cares for her students!”