by Jessica Tomhave
Lori Connolly was beaming as she accepted the Sabre Staff Star Award for October, recognized for her dedication to special-education students and Sartell Middle School staff.
SMS Principal Angela Safran presented Connolly with the award at the Oct. 23 school-board meeting. Connolly has worked in special education for nearly 25 years, from classrooms in Rhode Island to Maryland to Sartell.
After stepping back from teaching to raise her children, Connolly re-entered classrooms as a substitute teacher in 2007 in Sartell at Oak Ridge Elementary (now Oak Ridge Elementary Learning Center). There, she went on to work in special education, which led her to the position she accepted nine years ago at SMS, working in the Developmental Coordination Disorder Program alongside students with that particular disorder. She considers these students family and continues to be amazed and energized by them every day.
For her commitment and care toward student success, Connolly received many accolades and a beautifully etched plaque designed by Sartell High School technology education teacher Nick Phillips.
Connolly is praised for seeing the greatest potential in every student she works with. She encourages and helps students achieve their personal best by modeling hard work and honesty in all that she does at SMS. Connolly tirelessly advocates for exceptional learning experiences on behalf of every student.
“I would not want to teach anywhere or anyone else,” Connolly said. “This position fills my bucket on a daily basis.”
That is clear to all who work with her, the SMS staff and students who nominated Connolly for her outstanding professionalism and compassion.
Lori Connelly
