Many students are familiar with teachers at LFHS because they may have had them in class or seen them in the hallway. Students may also know different teachers from departments they are familiar with or heard about them from friends.
Very few students ever interact with staff from the Special Education department. I have been lucky, as a TA for the Integrated Wellness class, to be able to get to know Special Education teacher Mrs. Donna Lovitsch.
Mrs. Lovitsch, on a normal day, leads the ELS classroom through lessons and assists individual students with their math, reading, and writing skills. She also helps the students with each of their learning needs and assists them with developing skills for when they leave LFHS and continue attending school and/or getting a job.
Lovitsch majored in elementary education, and part of her program was to be placed in classroom settings.
“My first placement was in a third-grade general education classroom, and while it was a great experience, I wasn’t sure it was quite the right fit for me. My second set of hours, however, was in a Special Education classroom—very similar to the setting I teach in now—and I absolutely fell in love with it,” Lovitsch said. “I loved the students, the collaborative team atmosphere with TAs and related service providers, and the unique joy that came with that kind of teaching. That experience was the turning point when I realized I wanted to change my major to Special Education.”
Lovitsch started at LFHS as the first ELS teacher in 1996 and has been here ever since. Throughout her time at LFHS, she has helped grow the ELS program, worked with many different students and families, and was involved in the organization of the ELS basketball game, one of LFHS’ most famous traditions.
The ELS program started the ELS game in the first year, back in 1996, and it has grown ever since.
“It’s been incredible to watch the ELS Game grow over the years into what it is now—with Integrated Wellness, Coach Spagnoli, and all of the pieces that have been added over the years to make it what it is today,” Lovitsch said. “The ELS basketball game has always been a fan favorite—it’s a day that brings the whole school together to celebrate, support one another, and feel like a true community. That’s something I’m really proud of. It’s a day that means a lot to so many people—including me.”
Another accomplishment of Lovitsch’s was her earning the Distinguished Educator Award after being nominated by an Integrated Wellness TA and one of her ELS students.
“It was incredibly rewarding to know that I had made an impact on their lives, and I was truly honored that they thought of me when it came time to nominate someone. That kind of recognition, especially coming from students, means so much,” Lovitsch said.
Lovitsch credits her love for her job and humor as the roots of her success at LFHS. She has been able to create a fun and engaging class environment, as well as create a good reputation for the LFHS ELS program.
“I love laughing with my coworkers and students—our room is a fun, welcoming place to learn and I really value that. More than anything, I really value the meaningful relationships I’ve built with students over the years. I think any one of them would tell you that I’m a strong advocate for them and that I’ll always go the extra mile to support them however I can,” Lovitsch said.
Senior Sienna Daum is a TA for the Integrated Wellness class and in Lovitsch’s Learning Strategies class. Everyday during eighth period, she heads down to the ELS classroom to assist Lovitsch with class.
“She is fun, engaging, empathetic, and a compassionate teacher who brings the perfect energy to the ELS classroom every single day. Mrs. Lovitsch has a remarkable way to connect with every student, always making each one feel seen, heard, and supported. The students in her classroom are incredibly lucky to have her as a teacher,” Daum said.
Lovitsch has been able to make a lasting impact on many students across her nearly 30 years at LFHS. She is a great model for what every teacher at LFHS should be and a great representation of the LFHS community.
