Hello Out There!

Greetings from Mrs. Lochel's classroom! I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to you all because I will be spending some time with your children in Mrs. Lochel's classroom this semester and I am SUPER excited! I was born and raised in York where I lived with my Mama & Daddy. I graduated from Winthrop in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I also got married in September 2009.

My Daddy and I at Kerr Lake (1989).

(My Daddy passed away when I was 16 so I love to remember times with him through pictures.)

My husband, Jesse, and I at Ocean Isle Beach! (2010)

After graduation from Winthrop, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do for a career so I looked for a job in criminal justice (my Daddy was a police officer/police chief of York so I was always interested in the field). I was hired by the Department of Juvenile Justice as a juvenile probation officer. I had a caseload of approximately 60 juveniles, ranging in age from 12-17, that I was responsible for seeing once a month to hold them accountable to their court order.

Needless to say, I began to burnout quickly from the stress of that line of work. I did some soul-searching and realized that I truly wanted to help children but not in the capacity I was working. Most of the kids I worked with had already given up on a successful life.

I wanted to change their perspective but realized that I may be more successful in an educational environment, where I could inspire them to reach for the stars EARLY.

I believe most of my juvenile probationers were in trouble with the law because they felt they had nothing to lose - they didn't see a future for themselves besides a life of crime. I believe that a teacher can help children understand they are capable of achieving even their highest goals and aspirations.

Hopefully this semester I will help remind your children that they can reach for the stars and beyond - and education is the key to get there!