A long-time volunteer who implemented a special art program at Lee Elementary school has been named “Hero of the Heart” for Lee Elementary School in Rossmoor.
“You are a true gift to our school community,” Principal Amy Vento told Lori Scott during a workshop meeting of the Los Alamitos Unified School District Board meeting.
“Her biggest impact on our community has been the implementation of her unique art program this year,” said Vento.
“She has been teaching art, volunteering her time teaching art lessons to all of our kindergarten classes. She volunteers to teach individual art lessons and our third-grade classes too,” the principal said.
Vento said Scott moved to Rossmoor 18 years ago and her husband Bill has worked at the school for the past 15 years. She said one of Lori’s daughters graduated from Los Al High School and “Grammy” has “two awesome Leo’s now attending Lee Elementary.”
“She spends countless hours encouraging children’s natural curiosity, advocating for kids to take risks with their creativity and inspiring kids to express thoughts and feelings through art,” said Vento. “It’s so special to watch Laurie share her passion for art with our students.
She brings a smile to our littlest Leo’s faces gives them the confidence and a safe place to explore art and their ideas. Her love for our kids is endless and can be seen in the way she teaches and interacts with them,” the principal said.
“Miss Lori, you are a woman of generosity and integrity. You are a true gift to our school community. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring all Leos are engaged, connected and happy. You are a true hero of the heart,” she said.
“As a Papa to a Grammy,” said Board Vice President Chris Forehan. “You are the magic you exemplify us being able to give back to our school and our grandchildren and to all the other Leos so I admire you and respect you. You deserve every ounce.”
“Thank you very much for giving from your heart and for giving something that’s very important and that often gets missed,” said Board President Diana Hill, “and that really is the love of art.”
Hill said Scott’s ability to “teach children to appreciate and to love art and to realize they don’t have to be an artist to appreciate art” is a gift to students, thanking her for the special art program she has introduced.
“You are just an exceptional role model for all of us,” said LAUSD Supt. Dr. Andrew Pulver.
Scott’s unique ability to help students to “find a positive way to celebrate despite life’s various challenges and adversities, is just magical.“
“You are just one who always looks to give back,” he continued, “and just your husband is an exceptional role model as well. As many of you may not know but he was our Classified Employee of the Year a few years ago.”
“So both of you just lead and serve with grace and I just want to thank you for that service. It is greatly appreciated,” said Pulver.
Scott, at first, said she was reluctant to speak to the board, but decided to “do it anyway,” first thanked Vento, whom she calls “Miss Amy.”
“She’s always opening doors when kids are coming to school, on good days and bad. She’s there. It is an environment that just didn’t happen. It was created,” said Scott.”
“The amazing school environment has been built over the past seven years and, I mean, I cant’ wait to get here with my little red wagon,” she said. During the years she couldn’t come because of the pandemic, “I almost needed a therapist.”
“There’s a lot of people that work really hard to make the school what it is,” she said, “and I’m sure the other schools are great, but this is the best school ever.”
Scott thanked her husband for “letting me play. You’re working extremely hard so I can play,” she said.
“Every day is magic,” she said, “and again, thank you Mrs. Vento for making the environment for my grandchildren the best ever.”
