Lauren Generous is Teacher of the Year

“I get to make music every day.  It’s a blessing and I am so grateful,” says Lauren Generous, instrumental music instructor at Springfield Public Schools, who is Springfield’s Teacher of the Year. 

 “I was very surprised,” said Miss Generous, when she learned that she was chosen Teacher of the Year. She is honored and humbled, she says, “Because there are a lot of awesome teachers here. Many of them are deserving of the honor.”  

Miss Generous is completing her fourth year teaching music to students in kindergarten, grades one and five, and directs sixth-grade band, junior high and senior high bands. She came to Springfield as a new teacher graduated from Concordia College.   “I was happy to come to Springfield,” she commented. “I knew it had a strong tradition in music.”

 “I have always loved music and I wanted it to be a big part of my life,” Miss Generous said as she talked about her career choice. “When I was taking flute lessons, I really enjoyed it, was proud of the sounds I could make, and I enjoyed developing good relationships through music.”  She decided that it would be wonderful to put all those things together and teach music.  She is appreciative that her Dad, who plays flute and harmonica, and Mom, who plays clarinet, were supportive of her choices, and that she had opportunities to play in band, ensembles and honor group during her high school days. 

The best part of teaching she said is helping students grow and succeed.  Read the rest of the story in this week's Springfield Advance-Press