Elementary school teacher Lorie Raschke and versatile solution-finder Gary Schlenz were named the certificated and classified Employees of the Month, respectively, by the Lucerne Valley Unified School District on Thursday, November 8. The two were joined by AVID/history middle school teacher Naomi Oyadomari, who was unable to attend last month’s board meeting when she was named certificated employee of the month. All three were commended by Superintendent Peter Livingston and congratulated by school board president Jim Harvey, vice president Carmen Fox, and board members Jessica Risler and Tom Courtney. School board member Ruben Medina was unable to attend last Thursday’s meeting.
A teacher at Lucerne Valley Elementary School for the last three years, Raschke has done an outstanding job with some of the school’s most needy students. “Lorie is an undeniable positive force on our school,” according to Assistant Superintendent/Principal Burt Umstead, who nominated Raschke for the award. “No matter what comes her way, she always has a positive response and looks for ways to bring people together.”
Ms. Raschke also oversees the school’s 100-Mile Club, which is popular with LVES students. She also received the school’s Golden Eagle Award for the month of October. “Lorie can be counted on for anything that needs to be done at school,” Umstead said. “She always has our students as her focus. She has offered excellent care, love, and learning to our entire school community. We will be hard pressed to find another instructor as dedicated as Lorie. She represents what every instructor should strive to be for her students.”
According to LVMHS Principal Nate Lambdin, Mr. Schlenz not only makes a difference in the classroom, but he is often present at school activities and athletic events. “Recently, Gary learned that our sound system at the football stadium was on the fritz, so he took it upon himself to bring his own system to the stadium and set it up for our homecoming game.” Two weeks later, Mr. Schlenz set the system up again for Senior Night and volunteered to announce the football game in Mr. Brian Hood’s absence.
Mr. Lambdin added that having Mr. Schlenz on the LVUSD team truly makes a difference, his work ethic speaks for itself, he is always willing to lend a hand, and the pride in his work is truly inspiring.
The board and other attendees also gave a round of applause for Ms. Fox, who is stepping down from the school board to spend more time with her family. New board member Chelsea LaGrange will be sworn in during the school board’s annual reorganization next month.