Staff Spotlight: Morgan Lorenzen - special education teacher at Huntington Elementary School

Every week, we’ll shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! Get to know the wonderful people making a positive impact across various areas within LPS. This week, meet Morgan Lorenzen, special education teacher at Huntington Elementary School.

“Morgan is a first-year teacher who has shown an amazing ability to build relationships with students who need a strong foundation of trust and support with adults. She comes to work every day with a smile and does everything she can to ensure students are valued, loved and achieving at high levels. She works within our Student Support Center teaching social skills and coping strategies to students.” - McKenna Machal, special education coordinator.

In a few sentences, briefly describe your role at LPS.
I am a K-5 special education teacher in the Student Support Center at Huntington Elementary. My job is to support students' social-emotional and academic growth through the use of specialized behavior and social skills instruction and programming. 

How long have you worked for LPS?
I have worked for LPS for one year.

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
Nebraska was actually never a state that I imagined moving to, but at an interview fair at my university during my senior year of college, I remember seeing the LPS booth and decided to look into the district. I felt a strong connection to the district right off the bat and eventually decided to trust my gut and move to Lincoln to teach in LPS. It was the best decision I made!

What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
There are so many reasons why I love working at LPS and my school in general. I am the first person to say that I adore my job and the students/families I work with. The part of my job that I find the most rewarding is seeing my students take pride in the small milestones they make each day. One of the core reasons I teach is to empower my students to advocate for themselves and their needs. I am lucky enough to be able to celebrate their progress, no matter how small or big it is! I am also blessed that I have found a district and school that supports me in everything I do.

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I did not attend LPS as a student. I grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., then moved to Vermillion, S.D., to obtain my bachelor’s degree. I moved to Lincoln in 2023 post-graduation.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
I received my Bachelor of Elementary Education degree and my Bachelor of Special Education degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. I will soon be working toward getting my master's in special education.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
Lincoln feels like a home away from home. What I enjoy most about Lincoln is that the community takes pride in itself. This is a place where I know I will be able to grow as a person and as an educator. There is also so much to see, do and learn about here!

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
My favorite childhood book was definitely the "Junie B. Jones" series. I'm pretty sure I read each book multiple times!

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
Shout out to one of my college professors, Monica Iverson. She inspired me to teach special education, but specifically support those with behavior challenges. Without her knowledge and wisdom, I would not be where I am today!

Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!

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