Simpson, Lori

Lori Simpson

Growing up in a family of teachers in Alberta, Lori knew from the age of four that she wanted to become a teacher. Her love for education was inspired by her mother, and her love for Chemistry was inspired by her High School Chemistry Teacher - both of whom instilled the importance of “making learning real” for students. Lori’s own teaching career began in Northern Alberta where she quickly learned the importance of building relationships with students. During this time, she’s taught a variety of learners with a wide range of interests and learning styles. Regardless of their differences, the one thing that has remained a constant for her has been developing and maintaining meaningful connections with her students. In February of 2007, Lori was initially hired by Fort McMurray Public School District as a math teacher to reduce class sizes at Westwood Community High School. Upon collaboration with another teacher who was teaching science but preferred to teach math, they realized that teaching in their respective areas of expertise would be more advantageous to the students. With the school administration’s approval, she switched right away into the Science Department, were she still currently teaches. During her eight years at Westwood she has worked with students in Science 9, Science 10 & 10 PreAP, Science 14, Forensics 25, Chemistry 20 & 20 PreAP, Chemistry 30 & 30 PreAP, and Chemistry 35 AP. During the past few years Lori has been teaching more extensively in the Advance Placement Program. Working with the same group of students for all three years of their high school career, she learned about them as both learners and people as they challenged their thinking through the exploration of Science. She has found it deeply fulfilling to watch each one of them grow more proficient and confident throughout the course of their time together as they discovered and nurtured their love of Chemistry. Teaching and learning Advanced Placement Chemistry has also challenged Lori’s thinking and enhanced her desire to grow professionally, as she’s yearly attended International AP workshops and conferences to support her growth.

Lori is also committed to working with students outside the classroom. As the Teacher Coordinator for Graduation and the Teacher Representative for the Senior Boys’ Volleyball team for the past two years, she has been rewarded with lasting relationships of several students, parents and staff. She has learned the importance of these positive relationships for everyone involved. She is especially thankful for the guidance of her administrators Mr. Kinnell, Mrs. Roy, and Ms. Shelley, her mentor teacher Mrs. Agnew, and her mother, who have all spent several hours mentoring and encouraging her personal and professional growth.