Jean LaGrone

Jean LaGrone began her teaching career after graduating from the University of Texas in 1974. In 1975 she moved to New Mexico where she taught on the Mescalero Apache reservation, in a one-room rural school, and in a Spanish/English bilingual school. In 1988 Mrs. LaGrone began teaching at Westgate Elementary School in Omaha. During her 20 years in Nebraska, Mrs. LaGrone has been devoted to developing strong, effective teaching skills. She received the Arts Educator Award in 1995 for a geometry unit based on patterns in many different cultures. She was featured in eight segments of the Nickelodeon program, Teacher to Teacher with Mr. Wizard in 1995, showing her classroom using hands-on science. In 1996 Mrs. LaGrone was named Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year and she obtained National Board Certification in 1998. She received the Milkin Outstanding Educator Award in 1999. All of these experiences have given her the chance to share her love of teaching and the joys found only in a classroom of enthusiastic students. The move to Underwood Hills Focus School is an exciting change for her and she is eager to welcome her new students and their families.