Lisa Albrecht: ‘Every day is a different and new adventure’

Published 5:16 am Thursday, February 16, 2023

Her career lifted off in 1990 in Titusville, Florida. During her first year, Albrecht had the opportunity to work with NASA, as they were involved with her elementary school for the shuttle program.

She was regularly invited to attend Space Shuttle Endeavor launches and landings. “It was exciting to witness a space program pave the way for a new vehicle in space exploration.”

She was inspired to become a teacher through her 8th and 12th grade social studies teacher, Wilda McNatt. “There was never a dull moment in her classroom as she brought her stimulating lessons alive,” she said. “She truly cared about each of us as individuals and prepared us for the road ahead.”

Albrecht graduated from Hancock North Central High School – Brett Favre’s alma mater –  in 1983 before attending university to earn her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is also certified in Mentor Teaching, Special Education and ESL (english as a second language) Education.

She has also been involved in several grants, such as one with the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute in 2012 where she experienced life as a colonist in Williamsburg firsthand, as well as one with the Louisiana Teachers Forestry Tour where she learned about geocaching, the forest industry, control burns and endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.

“As you can see, teaching is truly an adventure,” she said.

Albrecht taught in different schools in Florida before moving to Lake Charles in 2007. When she began teaching at A. A. Nelson Elementary, she was greeted with community and collaboration. “I was welcomed into the faculty with so many amazing dynamic teachers who had one common goal to motivate students to reach for success.”

During her time at A. A. Nelson, Albrecht created a Math Club that competed until 2018, represented District 5 for the Louisiana Science Teacher Association, participated – in tandem with her students – in the Cleanest Campus Contest and co-founded Mayor Randy Roach’s Junior Team Green with Bishop Noland Episcipoal Day School and St. Margaret Catholic School.

In 2021, she was given the opportunity to teach English at F. K. White Middle School and help ESL (English as a second language) students with their transition into middle school. She happily took on the challenge, and was greeted by peers with as much enthusiasm as she had.

“I am working with inspiring, passionate teachers.”

Albrecht and her co-workers formed Culture Club. “We invited students, faculty and the community to learn about the variety of countries represented at F. K. White,” she explained.  “The school year ended with a festival to meet new people, learn new languages, experience food and music.”

She considers the event successful. “It helped others learn and understand different cultures, customs and traditions.”

Albrecht lives for the excitement of teaching, believing “there is never a boring moment.”

“Every day is a different and a new adventure.”

This is especially true in Albrecht’s classroom, which is filled with “a community mixed with cultures, languages, academics and technology.”

For Albrecht, creating an inviting and welcoming environment for students is vital. “It creates a safe place that is accessible for students to engage in building relationships (and) engaging in learning with resources provided. Students should be encouraged with their creativity and ideas to promote lifelong learners.”

She said the tenets of a successful classroom are: diversity, continuity and consistency with communication, listening, empathy, collaboration and patience.

She finds fulfillment in seeing the bonds that her students form through a collaborative education. “It gives them opportunities to find ways to problem solve and show compassion at the same time,” she explained. “I am the facilitator witnessing acts of kindness while the kids are finding different approaches to help each other learn.”

Albrecht’s methods work, and it shows through the relationships that she maintains with her former students. She is often asked to attend her past students’ graduations or to help with their resumes. Her past students even stop by her classroom just to catch up. The stories of success that they share is “the best validation a teacher could have.”