My name is Erica Ortego, and I am so excited to welcome you to Second Grade . . . it is important to me to provide a joyous environment for your student this year filled with wonder, connection, and belonging. 

Let me tell you a bit about myself - 

I am thrilled to be joining the Laurel Mountain Second grade team this year. Prior to this, I worked as an Educational Assistant in Intervention here at LME, where I taught groups of learners from Kindergarten through Fifth grade. I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and previously worked in communications and public relations. After taking on various community volunteer roles in various educational capacities, I quickly realized I had a passion for not only working with children, but in fostering a lifetime love of learning and developing the leadership skills our young learners need for the future. 

I am a South Texas native and have lived in Austin for quite some time now - I absolutely love it here and can’t imagine living anywhere else! I have been married to my husband, Alan, for 17 years. Together we have three children - Kate (14), Alexandra (10), and Everett (8). All three have attended LME during their academic career.  We also have an exuberant and beloved lab-mix named Sandy - who fills our days with sunshine and snuggles - and a menagerie of seven fish! 

My values are authenticity, connection, and community. I believe deeply in the power of community and partnership - there is nothing more important for our future society than working together to provide every single child the best education possible. I love traveling to destinations near and far, exploring nature in Central Texas, kayaking, fishing and camping. I have a deep love of the outdoors and gardening, and I share that passion with my students as they share their passions with me. 

I look forward to getting to know each student and the unique knowledge and gifts that they bring with them into second grade. This will be a year of risk taking, of incorporating fun and laughter at every opportunity, of asking questions and “wondering”, of growth and of joy. We will lean into play, have the opportunity to get a bit dirty in our fabulous outdoor spaces, and co-construct knowledge as a classroom team using our unique LME location. 

I look forward to partnering together for a great school year!

Sincerely,

Erica Ortego