Teacher feature: Iowa City’s Lauren Arnot dedicated to young students in special education

IOWA CITY — A young Lauren Arnot noticed the teachers who positively impacted her little brother, who received special education services.

'I've grown up with him, and when I was in high school and worked a lot with kids, I realized that was my passion,' Arnot said. 'I could see the impact his teachers had on him when he was growing up and going through school, and I wanted to do the same thing.'

Arnot, 30, began working for the Iowa City Community School District in 2011 teaching a special education prekindergarten class. This school year, she is working part-time as a supportive special education teacher for kindergarten through third-grade Longfellow Elementary students.

Arnot earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in early childhood education and special education from the University of Northern Iowa.

'I loved the age and the students I was working with' in prekindergarten, Arnot said, 'but I definitely wanted to explore ... and be able to expand my experience and gain a little more knowledge outside of the much-younger childhood world.'

Working part-time also gives her the ability to spend time with her 10-month-old son, Keeper. They live in Ely with Arnot's husband, Tim.

The Gazette is featuring Arnot as part of an ongoing series spotlighting educators in the Corridor. To nominate someone to be featured, send an email to Molly Duffy, K-12 education reporter, at molly.duffy@thegazette.com.

Q: Name a few things you always have on your desk.

A: My desk is somewhat portable because I provide instruction in different locations but I always have a small white board, dry erase markers and curriculum materials with me. My more permanent desk always has a picture of our baby, Keeper, a dachshund tape dispenser and piles of papers and books.

Q: What are a few of your favorite lessons to teach?

A: This year, I am learning about the curriculum used with K-6 students. I have always enjoyed and continue to enjoy lessons related to social skills instruction. It is so important for our students to learn about how their behavior (positive and challenging) impacts their lives and those around them, and be able to apply what they're learning not only in the school setting but with their families and community members. Also, I didn't always have a positive attitude about math when I was in school but I am really enjoying providing math instruction and watching the students begin to understand math concepts they've struggled with.

Q: What's the funniest thing a student has ever said to you?

A: I had a student ask me why I wear the same thing to school every day. When I asked what he meant he said 'your hair always looks like that.' I also had another teacher ask me once what grade I was in while at a meeting at one of our high schools.

Q: What was one of the harder conversations you've had at school?

A: It is always difficult to have conversations about students who have had traumatic experiences in their past or are having some type of crisis in their life. It is hard to understand what some students are experiencing at such a young age. Although difficult, we can be very purposeful in how we respond and support those students. It is important for them to feel loved and valued by those supporting them at school.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren't a teacher?

A: I can't imagine not working with children in some capacity. If not teaching, I would likely be interacting with children and their families by providing behavioral supports.

Q: What's the latest you've stayed at school?

A: During my first year of teaching I stayed at school until midnight a couple of times. Since that first year, I've learned how to manage my time much better, although I feel like there's always something school-related I could be doing.

Q: What's something your students probably don't know about you?

A: My students don't know (yet) that I really enjoy playing basketball and that I have a pretty good shot from the three point line on the court. I'm still trying to come up with a way to incorporate some basketball into a lesson. Soon, hopefully.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the population of students you work with?

A: I have enjoyed the younger students I've worked with the past six years, and am excited to be expanding my experience to K-3 students. I am really enjoying the unique personalities of each student. The students I work with always bring a smile to my face and seeing them get excited when an otherwise difficult concept 'clicks' reminds me of why I love being a special-education teacher.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were a kid? Why?

A: One of my English teachers in high school, Amy Abler, had a big impact on me. I remember hearing that her class was 'hard,' and I probably dreaded it, but it ended up being one of the classes where I felt my learning was relevant and I loved it. She created an atmosphere where we were encouraged to take risks and apply what we were learning, and she held us accountable for doing our best work. I hope that my students are prepared to apply the skills they are learning with me like I did when I was in her class.

l Comments: (319) 398-8330; molly.duffy@thegazette.com