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40 Years of Love

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We are honoring Linda Schrupp as she retires from LSEM

 

                   

Linda has been an incredible pillar of excellence, dedication, and love to this ministry for 40 years. Having spent her entire teaching career with LSEM, we are honored beyond words and are grateful for the impact she has had on thousands of students lives. We are praying for God’s continued blessings on Linda as she celebrates retirement. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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Linda has barely aged a day in 23 years

Linda has been with LSEM for 40 years. Nearly 1/3 of the history of our entire ministry. She has seen this ministry change and grow from serving the hearing impaired on the Detroit campus, to opening our doors and reaching out to serve in schools across the country. We asked Linda to share with us her insight as she retires.

You’ve worked for LSEM for an incredible 40 years. You were a teacher for us back when we were still on the Nevada St campus in Detroit. What is a favorite memory or story from when you taught there?

Most of the teachers on campus were fairly new or right out of college like I was when I started.  We were all around the same age. Most of us were enrolled in classes for additional certification.  We bonded over our similar circumstances. We became close as we helped each other solve problems, learn the curriculum, brainstorm ideas for helping students, and deal with the daily responsibilities of teaching. There were also many social get-togethers and activities that strengthened these friendships. Those relationships created many special memories.

How have the kids you taught this year been similar and different to when you first began?

The first 2 years I taught on campus I had a self-contained class of 10 10-12 year old boys.  Most of them had learning disabilities.  One was hearing impaired and one was mildly cognitively impaired.  This was very different from the resource rooms at the partnership schools.  Even though they were all around the same age, their needs and abilities were very different.  These differences had to be addressed in every subject throughout the day.

The children I taught in the resource rooms had less severe disabilities.  The teaching focus was usually on one or maybe two subject areas.  But this came with the challenge of scheduling times to work with these students and consulting with their teachers to set up accommodations and modifications to allow them to be successful with the classroom curriculum.

My third year on campus I had a class of  hearing impaired students.  There were only two classes left in the building by that time.  The other teacher and I worked with all of the students, but I mostly had the lower elementary age children.  Since this is what I had prepared for in college, I was very excited to work with these children.

All three of these teaching situations posed different challenges. But kids are kids.  They all have the potential to learn.  Tapping into that potential to get them excited about learning and watching them succeed makes all the work worthwhile.  Being able to talk and laugh with kids is the reward of teaching.

As you’re retiring, what words of advice or encouragement would you leave for our current and future students?

The hard work is worth it.  You will see the positive results of this work eventually.  You will be successful.  Your teachers are on your side.  They want the best for you.  Don’t give up.  Deal with the frustrations that come your way and then keep working.  Linda

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Linda, you have most certainly left a lasting Legacy of Love on LSEM. For all you have done for us, for all you have done for your students, for all you have done in support of you schools, for all you have done to further God’s kingdom here on earth – we thank you.