- December 25, 2024
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For as long as she can remember, Lohree Pulver remembers wanting to be a physical education teacher.
She was involved in sports growing up, and has a love for competition. That, combined with the fact teaching runs in her family — her grandmother was a teacher and her grandfather was as school district superintendent in South Dakota — led to her decision to pursue a career in education. Her sister is also a PE teacher, Pulver noted.
"I enjoy educating and making a difference in young people’s lives," Pulver said.
The Ormond Beach Middle School Teacher of the Year originally began her college path as a speech pathologist, and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education from Oregon State University. There was a point where Pulver said she considered becoming a nurse instead, because she loves helping and caring for people in need.
"Teaching was a natural transition because there are always students in need," Pulver said.
She has been teaching now for 17 years, and is a sixth grade PE teacher at OBMS. She said she is humbled by the Teacher of the Year nomination because she works with so many other amazing teachers.
"It takes a team of teachers to educate our students," Pulver said. "Being singled out and celebrated all year is quite an honor, but humbling at the same time."
What is one thing she is taking away from this experience?
"I feel very loved and appreciated by my colleagues at Ormond Beach Middle school," Pulver said. "I am growing as a person and know that I am just a part of the puzzle to making this magic happen at the middle school level."
Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing her students learn and apply what they have learned, she said. Pulver also loves to see their excitement when she sees they are fully engaged and enjoying the day's lesson.
If there was one piece of wisdom she could share with her students, it would be to "work hard and don't quit when things get tough."
When not in the classroom, Pulver enjoys playing pickleball, going fishing and relaxing with her friends.
