Lauren Thomas
The South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) has named Mrs. Lauren Thomas a Master Teacher. The Master Teacher program recognizes teachers who exhibit best practices in the classroom and a willingness to share and collaborate with other educators. Master Teachers must inspire excellence in the classroom, among colleagues and, especially, among students.
Mrs. Thomas teaches K-6th grade music, K-2nd grade Spanish, and 6th grade creative writing. Says Mrs. Thomas, “Ever since I decided to pursue education, I knew that I wanted to create well-rounded, life-long learners. An important step toward this goal is working with other teachers to provide collaborative, cross-curricular learning. Students of this age are hungry for choices, hungry for options, and hungry for multiple approaches to a single problem. By collaborating in the classrooms, [educators] will provide exactly that.”
In his letter of recommendation for Mrs. Thomas, Mason Prep Head of School Mr. Erik Kreutner wrote, “During Mrs. Thomas’s tenure at Mason Prep, it has truly been a pleasure to watch her grow as a teacher and a leader within our faculty. Truly a life-long learner, Mrs. Thomas has eagerly pursued professional development opportunities in all of [the subject areas she teaches], and her students have benefitted from her efforts to make herself the best teacher she can be. Her passion, dedication, and student-centered nature make her an incredible asset for our school.”
Parents and students recognize the passion Mrs. Thomas has for teaching. Says Clarissa McKenzie, mother of one former and one current student of Mrs. Thomas, “Mrs. Thomas is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who sets a high standard for all her students. Her passion for music is contagious, and her desire to share her appreciation of it is exceptional. She approaches every concept with engaging and creative activities while continuously seeking ways to enhance any learning opportunity through collaboration and open sharing of concepts.” One of her current students, Leah Bagg, said, “Mrs. Thomas [always] makes time to think out of the box and give us new learning experiences. Recently, she and the athletics director, Ms. Stemple, worked together so that we could do a routine that involved playing drums and doing athletic exercises to the songs ‘Shake It Off’ and ‘High Hopes.’ It was so much fun! Mrs. Thomas is great at interacting with other teachers and making kids feel like they can do anything.”
Mrs. Thomas joins seven current Mason Prep teachers and administrators who have received this honor.
Mason Preparatory School is an independent school for grades K-8 located in downtown Charleston, SC. Mason Prep is committed to the education of the whole child in preparation for secondary education, to the development of the child into a productive citizen, and to the cultivation of respect, integrity, and personal responsibility. masonprep.org
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