This week, we’re showing our #CPSDPride by giving a #SuperSchoolShoutout to Oakbrook Elementary School with special education (SPED) teacher Lisa Marie Moore and fifth grader Medeira Lemapu.

Lisa joined Oakbrook nine years ago after relocating to Washington with her husband. “Oakbrook is unique because it’s such a small school,” she said. “What keeps me here are the relationships with families, students and teachers that I’ve built over time. I love it.”

As a fourth and fifth grade SPED teacher, Lisa works with students who need additional support with reading, writing and math as well as students who are working on their social skills. “I often pull students out of the classroom to work with them closely in small groups and I consult with teachers on their individualized education plans (IEPs),” she said. 

Lisa began her teaching journey after moving from Guam to the United States and fell in love with the profession. “I ended up going back to school to get my master’s in special education and have enjoyed every year of teaching since 2006,” she said. 

After nearly twenty years as an educator, Lisa continues to learn and grow along the way. She’s proud of her ability to remain adaptable and is looking forward to another year with students. “A teacher is no longer just someone who provides instruction to these students, we have to be so much more so it’s important to keep moving the mark and encourage them to show growth,” she said. 
 

Medeira has big plans for fifth grade and is looking forward to the journey ahead. “Fifth grade is more challenging than fourth, and we’re learning new and interesting things in class,” she said. 

Last year, Medeira struggled with writing. “I hated picking up my pencil,” she said. “But then, I joined this group with Ms. Bade and she taught me how to write cool stories and make them sound fun.” 

Medeira’s teacher unlocked her vivid imagination and now writing is her favorite subject. “I like to write out my wildest dreams,” she said. “Last year I wrote a seven-paragraph story called ‘The Dream’ where people had to save themselves from nightmares. I’m really proud of that specific project.”

Her love of writing has also improved her reading skills and helped her expand her curiosity. “When I grow up, I want to become a marine biologist because of all the interesting sea life facts I read about in books,” she said. 

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Medeira is a leader at Oakbrook, acting as the school’s ASB vice president in fourth grade and the current ASB president. “I learned a lot being vice president last year,” she said. “My brainstorming, leadership, planning and teamwork skills have become really strong and I’m excited to plan assemblies and other activities this year as the president.”

Go Eagles!