Lori Özmay (she/her)

Third-grade teacher • Bilkent Laboratory and International School • Turkey

How did you get into teaching?

I got into teaching by luck. I grew up in rural Ontario, Canada planning to go into international development and travel the world. In my final month of college, however, the professors at my university went on strike. Instead of waiting it out at home, I decided to stick around campus and work as a barista. A friend encouraged me to use some of the money I earned to get a TESOL certificate. Before graduation, I applied to exactly two English teaching jobs: one in Moscow and another in Ankara.  I am extremely allergic to fish, so I decided Turkey would be safer for me. A year later, my husband was a student in one of my classes. Twenty years (two children and a dog) later, I’m still here! I earned a teaching certificate in 2012 and began working at an international school. I’m convinced that working in the classroom has made me a better person.

Who was the teacher who made the most positive impact on your life?

My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Leung, was an amazing teacher who played guitar and used different teaching methods to connect us with the concepts we were learning. I remember her “flying” us all to Hong Kong, and we spent a week doing a transdisciplinary learning adventure all about Hong Kong. She was also my teacher in seventh grade and she piloted an independent math program that is an example of differentiation that I still refer to. She was so kind and energetic, I will never forget her. 

What is a professional inquiry you are currently pursuing?

What are some of the best read-aloud stories?

I find read-alouds to be one of the best ways to connect with my students. While we all have different backgrounds and life experiences, when we hear the same story suddenly we know the same people and are invested in the same issues! Stories bring us together. Read-aloud is my favourite time of the day, and I try to create an environment where it is my students' favourite time too. Every year, I am looking for new books to read to my students while also keeping my favourite books in rotation. My absolute must-reads every year are Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.  DiCamillo is such a gifted writer, and let’s be honest, everyone enjoys a central dog character. This year, I added Hatchet by Gary Paulsen to my list because it’s an incredible survival story and demonstrates how strong we can be in the face of adversity. I’m also halfway through Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt with my class, and we absolutely loving every minute of following the main character, Ally, as she learns to be brave and deal with challenges. Recently, I hosted a book circle for Toddle TIES sharing favourite read-alouds (grades 3 to 5). It was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk about reading with educators in other countries and to find new books to share with my students. I think I will read The BFG by Roald Dahl or a few of their other suggested books soon!

What is a personal inquiry you are currently pursuing?

How can I improve my endurance and speed in my long-distance running but still have fun?  

I started running, as a complete beginner, when I was 39, and ran my first marathon exactly one year later.  Running gives me discipline and a hands-on understanding of the importance of goal setting that I had never really had. I have been reading lots of books about running, such as Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, listening to sports podcasts, and following different amateur athletes, like Amanda Brooks and Heather Jenson, for not only tips but also for motivation. In the last 4 years, I have completed a second marathon, numerous half marathons and have started into trail running with the hope of completing a few ultra-marathons in the near future. 

What three best ideas do you have to improve the teaching profession?

Co-teaching

As educators, we need to be given more time to create real connections with our students and their families. We all know that connections are the root of success in education, however, with the overwhelming demands of curriculum, class sizes and the day to day of regular school life, it takes longer for teachers and students to find a connection, which puts off the abilities for true learning to occur. I find this connection to be especially important for assessments. Assessment requires a degree of vulnerability. We need to set our students up to feel OK about taking risks. In my milieu, with small class sizes, and two teachers in the classroom, I have seen the value firsthand of teachers being given the opportunity to create connections. I wish this was possible for everyone.

Valuable Mentoring and Peer Observation

I have been a teacher for over 15 years and still really appreciate someone coming into my classroom and giving me feedback.  At the same time, I also see mentoring new teachers as not only an opportunity to support a new educator but also a way to learn new skills and practices from someone new to the profession. I believe that time needs to be protected for teachers to build a school culture that supports learning from one another.

Teacher Visibility

Let’s encourage our educators to toot their own horns (or have them tooted)! I would love to see teachers being more celebrated. We should be celebrating successes both inside and outside the classroom. When my principal announced to the whole school that I had completed my first marathon I felt so seen and everyone was able to celebrate my success, even though it was outside of school. This is a wonderful practice at our school and something I hope all educators get to feel.  I believe that by creating a platform where educators can shout out not only each other but also themselves, we can all celebrate and learn about the amazing things that are happening every day inside and outside of our schools.  

You gotta see this!

I am continuing my love of Brené Brown by reading her newest book Atlas of the Heart. I love the way she talks about shame and vulnerability, leadership, and basic human connection. Her books have really made me think about the way I teach, and how I ask students to be vulnerable in my classroom during their learning process.

In this book, Brené writes: “Choosing to be curious is choosing to be vulnerable because it requires us to surrender to uncertainty. We have to ask questions, admit to not knowing, risk being told that we shouldn't be asking, and, sometimes, make discoveries that lead to discomfort.” Doesn’t this quote make you think about how we are asking our students to look at the inquiry process, and how we can support them through it?