In the first few days of a new school year, Lauren Spain plays “Two Truths and a Lie” with her students, which is when they find out she appeared on HGTV’s “House Hunters” with her husband. Spain said the revelation wins her cool points with her students, and, she called her time on the show a funny experience.
“If you’ve seen the episode, I promise my husband and I love each other, I love our house, and we do not care that much about crown molding baseboards,” Spain said.
Virtual class has replaced in-person for the time being, so Spain hasn’t been able to share her television appearance with her students, but she said things have been going smoothly because the English team leaders started creating lessons early on.
“It’s definitely not better than being in person, but all things considered, I’m really proud of how my school and team [have]handled it. That being said, my colleagues and I work long hours every day to ensure everything goes smoothly,” Spain said. “My husband always jokes ‘Amazon isn’t going to run itself,’ to which I reply, ‘We are recreating education here.’ Going virtual has forced us to get really creative… and [it]has honestly been good for us to very deliberately rethink all of our content.”
Spain is an English 10 and ESL teacher at Thomas Dale, where she has been for four years of her nine-year career. She received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M and spent five years teaching in Texas. Spain received the Teacher of the Year award and said she is humbled and honored to be recognized.
Though Spain thought she would teach elementary, and she’s taught middle and high school, she believes high school is where she is meant to be. She said she pursued education because of the teachers who poured into her and made a difference in her life.
“I’m passionate about being a champion for young people and helping them realize their potential [and]strengths as early as possible so they can become their best selves. I’m also a people person,” Spain said. “It blows my mind that every single person has a story – it’s just amazing to me – but more importantly, I believe everyone’s story should be heard, so I’m here to listen.”
Spain’s passion for her students shows in her involvement with Camp Squire, an interactive orientation program that helps incoming freshmen learn about what it means to be a Thomas Dale Knight. The program, originally known as Knight Mentors, started in 2018 with assistant principal Jeanine Grabham, and after Spain joined the following year, it became a two-day camp before school started.
“My goals for Camp Squire are for freshmen to be excited that they get to go to Thomas Dale and feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. I want them to feel [as if]they have a reliable and varied support system as they begin [in]high school …,” Spain said. “The other, just-as-important part is the leadership and sensitivity training of our mentors and council leaders, [so]I guess Camp Squire is not only an orientation program, but a leadership program as well.”
Spain’s favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students, and helping them to grow as people and learn more about themselves. Capturing a student’s heart comes first for her, and she lets students know they are genuinely cared for.
“On the first day, I promise my students three things: I will never waste your time, everything we do is on purpose, [and]I will never ask you to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” Spain said. “This usually gets the kids’ attention and helps them trust me. I’m on their side.”
