Teacher/Staff Spotlight: Laura McIntyre, Patrick Hamilton Elementary

Educators and staff are perhaps the greatest population of unsung heroes in Berrien and Cass County. This school year, Leader Publications will publish spotlights featuring teachers and staff throughout the Dowagiac Union Schools district, giving the community a chance to get to know the hard-working individuals shaping their children’s lives.

Name: Laura McIntyre

School: Patrick Hamilton Elementary

Grades/subjects taught: K – Senior Year High School / K- 5 gifted program / Freshman – Senior Year Academic Mentor / Classroom Teacher for 3rd and 4th graders

Where did you attend college? Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois

How many years have you been teaching? 20 years total

How many years have you been with your current school? Starting my 5th year at Patrick Hamiltion

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I was a figure skating instructor and I loved working with kids, so a friend said you should be a teacher!  Which was funny because I was not a school kind of kid.

Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing for fun? I love to walk my Aussie Maverick. I live in two states basically, Oak Lawn, Illinois and Dowagiac, Michigan.  So I travel back and forth.  I also love to ride my wave runner and snowmobile in Michigan.

What is one thing your students may not know about you? That I had a hard time in school and that things didn’t come easy for me.  That I was an average student until I went to college and made the Dean’s List

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Sherlock Holmes is my favorite fictional character because he always was observing  people to solve cases.  I love to observe and problem solve.

When you were a student in the grade you teach, what were your favorite hobbies? Disco was in and my friends and I would make up our own dances during recess and I would ride my skateboard to my friends house.

How would your coworkers describe your teaching style and personality? I have a hard time tooting my horn.  I have no problem tooting for my students but it’s hard for me, so I asked a couple of coworkers to answer this question. Laura’s  teaching style is dedicated, enthusiastic, resourceful, determined, committed, and adaptable. ESPECIALLY adaptable.

Who is your biggest role model and why? Cara Keller was my Gifted Co-Teacher.  She was soooo smart and I was the creative one.  She showed me how to look at the world around me and to see that there are learning / teachable moments all around you.  Example: We went on a field trip in the forest preserves for our biome unit.  We unfortunately stepped on a yellow jacket ground nest and many of us got stung.  Instead of just treating and forgetting, we created an information book and learned all about why the yellow jackets did this.

How has education changed in the last 10 years? More opportunities to learn on computers because for the most part each student has their own computer (no more computer labs).  Computers are utilized to reinforce and  entice learning on a daily basis.  Also, it gives teachers immediate information on their students strengths and weaknesses. This helps plan and individualized instruction. In the past we would wait months for this information.

What is your best advice to parents to help their child continue to grow academically? To read and to try and give them experiences that they can draw upon in life.

If my students learn one thing this year, I hope it is… to be kind and respect one another! (and to know their math facts!)

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