Hello and welcome to 5th Grade!

I'm Mrs. Lutz and this is our class website. I'm so excited for the opportunity to work with all of you this year. We have some amazing things planned in Reading and Writing this year – one during which we’ll read amazing stories and make real-life connections to them, learn about environmental issues and advocate for ways to solve them, write every day - about the stories of our lives, about what books mean to us, and about what we have to teach people. We'll do research projects and send our voices out into the world. The possibilities are endless.

This is my 17th year teaching in West De Pere - and believe me, each year gets better and better. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Prior to becoming a teacher, I had a successful career as a newspaper reporter and editor, working for newspapers in Wisconsin and Florida. When my family moved to De Pere in 2000, I began substitute teaching and discovered two things about myself: I loved teaching and being in the classroom; and I had a gift for relating to and working with children. It was then I decided to earn my teaching credentials and embarked on a two-year program through Marian College.

I have not regretted my career change for one second. I love being a teacher, especially the connection I form with the children – being able to motivate them to want to learn, challenging them to go beyond what they think is their potential, and offering them guidance, support, and knowledge. With my writing background and the life experiences I've had, I offer students a unique perspective as a teacher and bring daily enthusiasm to my classroom.

Thank you for sharing your children with me. Don’t ever hesitate to contact me for any reason. I enjoy hearing from parents almost as much as I love spending my days with your children!