Hey There Shepherd!
I am back with ‘Getting To Know Shepherd People” Here is the 5th installment of 2014.
Getting to know people, communicating with them, and finding out what they are about is a crucial key to successful teamwork and a successful school. I am going to continue to do my best to post something about the special people involved at Shepherd Public schools the first Sunday of each month.
Today I want to present you with another unsung hero who tends to go unnoticed…
A crucial part of why Shepherd Public Schools is a success is because of the extra programs, help, and people available for the students. Some very special people are out there who genuinely love helping the students here at SPS.
One of them is Laurie Potie
Laurie has been a social worker here at SPS for the past 12 years. She graduated with degrees from both Central Michigan University & Michigan State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science & Masters in Social Work.
On a daily basis at Shepherd Mrs. Potie can be found counseling students, working with crisis intervention teams, overseeing classroom discussions, supervising peer-to-peer support programs, and being a liaison between home and school for students and their parents.
With those degrees, Laurie has been busy outside of the school, too. She has spoken at CMU and with the START grant in Michigan, along with raising awareness of Autism.
When not working around the school and community, she can found at home with her family. Laurie is married to her husband, Darrell. They have two girls, Olivia, who is 12, and Elana, who is 9. Add in their two dogs two dogs, Buster and Maizy. Laurie can be found with her family skiing, biking, reading, spending time with their friends, competing at board games. She has a neat family with a LOT of energy!
I asked who inspired her. Laurie replied, “My mom. She gives 110% everyday with an amazing attitude and loves unconditionally.”
Now the good part… Laurie being the quiet, non-attention seeking, humble person she is did not give me a lot to work with… Sooooooooo… I went and got my own stuff…
Comments from people who know her….
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I contacted Shelly Spayd, Parent of a Shepherd student, and she wrote….
“This is harder than I thought. I know you just wanted a few quotes, but putting into words how I feel about Laurie and the impact she has had on our lives is more difficult than I thought it would be. Hopefully something here will work for you.
Over the past few years, Laurie has been a driving force in Michael’s education. She has been there for every IEP, every staffing, she has answered every early morning and late night phone call and returned every “worrying mother” e-mail I have sent. She always does so with professionalism, but more importantly, she does it with care and compassion.
When I look at where Michael is today, I know it would not have been possible without her incredible efforts. Her desire to start a Peer to Peer program for Michael and her commitment to see it through, have changed my son’s life in ways I cannot begin to list. We are so thankful she has been a part of Michael’s life and ours as well."
-----------------------
Next was Julie Sickles, Shepherd Teacher who wrote…
“Laurie Potie is a relentless champion of kids. She puts her whole heart and soul into working with students, helping them to problem solve areas in their lives that need solving and overcoming obstacles that much of the general population is unaware exists.
I always think of her job as being thankless because she is often working with kids who are in crisis and very young. She doesn't usually get to see the positive impact she has made on a child, but she just keeps showing up and helping with heartbreaking situations. I always think of her first when problem solving a crisis. There isn't anyone better in an emergency. She thinks outside of the box. Giving up on a child never even occurs to her.”
-----------------------
Julie Wright, Shepherd Counselor wrote…
“Laurie Potie was an integral part of bringing Peer to Peer to Shepherd Schools which has been a life-changing program for so many of our students. Her energy and passion for helping students is endless and inspirational. She is an advocate, a friend, a voice of reason. We are truly blessed to have her at Shepherd.”
------------------------
Phyllis Hall, former Middle School Principal wrote…
“Laurie has changed the lives of many students at Shepherd High School. Our At Risk population has greatly benefitted from her help, support, and ideas for them. Also many of the programs and interventions that she has provided or been a part of have helped all of our students and our teachers.
She is respected by everyone and is welcome in any classroom.
She is not only our in house autism expert, but she is well-known throughout the state as a Peer to Peer Intervention specialist. She is asked to present to other groups and other schools...sharing her great insight, logic and knowledge.
We are very fortunate to have Laurie Potie on board as our social worker.”
-----------------------------
Shepherd Superintendent Claire Bunker responded with…
“Laurie Potie has made an enormous difference in the lives of many students and their families during her tenure at SPS. Her expertise in the area of social work is unsurpassed. She is a gifted educator, and I am thankful she is part of the SPS family. I don’t say it often enough…
THANK YOU Laurie!”
Again, Shepherd we have some amazing people in this school system, associated with this school system, and in this community. Laurie Potie is just one perfect example how sometimes some very special people might get over-looked.
I’m trying my hardest to see it stops.
Thank you Laurie for all the hard work and dedication you bring to the teaching profession. It is an honor to know you and to work with you.
All my best and then some...
I am back with ‘Getting To Know Shepherd People” Here is the 5th installment of 2014.
Getting to know people, communicating with them, and finding out what they are about is a crucial key to successful teamwork and a successful school. I am going to continue to do my best to post something about the special people involved at Shepherd Public schools the first Sunday of each month.
Today I want to present you with another unsung hero who tends to go unnoticed…
A crucial part of why Shepherd Public Schools is a success is because of the extra programs, help, and people available for the students. Some very special people are out there who genuinely love helping the students here at SPS.
One of them is Laurie Potie
Laurie has been a social worker here at SPS for the past 12 years. She graduated with degrees from both Central Michigan University & Michigan State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science & Masters in Social Work.
On a daily basis at Shepherd Mrs. Potie can be found counseling students, working with crisis intervention teams, overseeing classroom discussions, supervising peer-to-peer support programs, and being a liaison between home and school for students and their parents.
With those degrees, Laurie has been busy outside of the school, too. She has spoken at CMU and with the START grant in Michigan, along with raising awareness of Autism.
When not working around the school and community, she can found at home with her family. Laurie is married to her husband, Darrell. They have two girls, Olivia, who is 12, and Elana, who is 9. Add in their two dogs two dogs, Buster and Maizy. Laurie can be found with her family skiing, biking, reading, spending time with their friends, competing at board games. She has a neat family with a LOT of energy!
I asked who inspired her. Laurie replied, “My mom. She gives 110% everyday with an amazing attitude and loves unconditionally.”
Now the good part… Laurie being the quiet, non-attention seeking, humble person she is did not give me a lot to work with… Sooooooooo… I went and got my own stuff…
Comments from people who know her….
---------------------
I contacted Shelly Spayd, Parent of a Shepherd student, and she wrote….
“This is harder than I thought. I know you just wanted a few quotes, but putting into words how I feel about Laurie and the impact she has had on our lives is more difficult than I thought it would be. Hopefully something here will work for you.
Over the past few years, Laurie has been a driving force in Michael’s education. She has been there for every IEP, every staffing, she has answered every early morning and late night phone call and returned every “worrying mother” e-mail I have sent. She always does so with professionalism, but more importantly, she does it with care and compassion.
When I look at where Michael is today, I know it would not have been possible without her incredible efforts. Her desire to start a Peer to Peer program for Michael and her commitment to see it through, have changed my son’s life in ways I cannot begin to list. We are so thankful she has been a part of Michael’s life and ours as well."
-----------------------
Next was Julie Sickles, Shepherd Teacher who wrote…
“Laurie Potie is a relentless champion of kids. She puts her whole heart and soul into working with students, helping them to problem solve areas in their lives that need solving and overcoming obstacles that much of the general population is unaware exists.
I always think of her job as being thankless because she is often working with kids who are in crisis and very young. She doesn't usually get to see the positive impact she has made on a child, but she just keeps showing up and helping with heartbreaking situations. I always think of her first when problem solving a crisis. There isn't anyone better in an emergency. She thinks outside of the box. Giving up on a child never even occurs to her.”
-----------------------
Julie Wright, Shepherd Counselor wrote…
“Laurie Potie was an integral part of bringing Peer to Peer to Shepherd Schools which has been a life-changing program for so many of our students. Her energy and passion for helping students is endless and inspirational. She is an advocate, a friend, a voice of reason. We are truly blessed to have her at Shepherd.”
------------------------
Phyllis Hall, former Middle School Principal wrote…
“Laurie has changed the lives of many students at Shepherd High School. Our At Risk population has greatly benefitted from her help, support, and ideas for them. Also many of the programs and interventions that she has provided or been a part of have helped all of our students and our teachers.
She is respected by everyone and is welcome in any classroom.
She is not only our in house autism expert, but she is well-known throughout the state as a Peer to Peer Intervention specialist. She is asked to present to other groups and other schools...sharing her great insight, logic and knowledge.
We are very fortunate to have Laurie Potie on board as our social worker.”
-----------------------------
Shepherd Superintendent Claire Bunker responded with…
“Laurie Potie has made an enormous difference in the lives of many students and their families during her tenure at SPS. Her expertise in the area of social work is unsurpassed. She is a gifted educator, and I am thankful she is part of the SPS family. I don’t say it often enough…
THANK YOU Laurie!”
Again, Shepherd we have some amazing people in this school system, associated with this school system, and in this community. Laurie Potie is just one perfect example how sometimes some very special people might get over-looked.
I’m trying my hardest to see it stops.
Thank you Laurie for all the hard work and dedication you bring to the teaching profession. It is an honor to know you and to work with you.
All my best and then some...