A Little bit about Mrs. Willis

Wow what an amazing first week!! I have had so much fun in First Grade. What an honor it is to me that Mrs. Chernick picked me to spend the rest of the year in her class. Thank you to all of you that allow me to spend a big chunk of the day with your little loves. I cherish the opportunity to be a part of the daily lives. I see so many special things in each one of your children, thank you for sharing!!

                                         
Many of you have known me for the past three years. I have been a long-term substitute teacher for some of the kids in this class for a good portion of their DK and Kindergarten years. Last year I also served as the Kindergarten Technology Teacher. Needless to say, I am no stranger to your children. I think that this opportunity has allowed for a very smooth transition between Mrs. Chernick leaving and me taking over. I have been THRILLED to realize that Mrs. Chernick and I have very similar teaching styles making the switch of teachers very easy on the children and myself. There will be very few changes, if any at all, for the children to get use to with our daily procedures.

For those of you who have not had the chance to get to know me in the past. I grew up down state in Grand Haven, which is located on the Lake Michigan shore. I spent most of my younger years at the beach enjoying our beautiful lake.

 
We lost my dad 2 years ago. 

Still miss him everyday, 

but I know he is proud of the work I do at home and in school.

  

After high school I attended Grand Valley State University and received my teaching degree. My four years at Grand Valley were wonderful. It helped that it was only a half an hour from my parents, whom I am very close with and my beloved beach.

I was hired as a 5th grade teacher at Robinson Elementary School, in my hometown of Grand Haven, soon after graduating. I spent 3 great years learning how to become a teacher. Wow, did I have a lot to learn!!

In 1994, I met the Yooper of my dreams, Tom Willis.  Little did I know he would drag me kicking and screaming from my beloved Grand Haven to the U.P..  Before meeting Tom the farthest North I had been was Mackinaw Island!!  However, it did not take me long to fall in love with Escanaba, my husbands hometown. We have lived in Escanaba for the past 16 years and I can't imagine living anywhere else, much to my mother's dismay. She would love to have us move back down state, but we are Eskymos to the core!!

Tom and I now have two teenagers (God help me!!), Maddy 15 and Ben 13. Both of my children attend Escanaba High School and are DEEPLY involved with athletics. Tom and I spend most of our weekends sitting in bleachers watching our children play basketball. Who knew that you could travel all over Michigan and Wisconsin playing basketball ALL year long!?!

   

Not only do Tom and I share our home with two teenagers and their posse, but we have Tom's parents and Aunt living with us.  Not to mention our three dogs. This makes for a very busy household filled with love. It amazes me how it all works out. I would be lost without all the help the grandmas provide. We are never short of fresh bake goods at our house. Go Grandmas!!

Tom's Mom and Dad.

Grandma Jan, our baker of all things wonderful!!

The Puppies!!

Missy

Bruno, the love of my life. 

Shhh......don't tell my kids!!

Our old girl Maizie

If you have any questions feel free to reach me at school. I am here by 7:30 most mornings and work until 5:00p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Look forward to meeting you all. 

Lisa Willis