Lansing USD469 Employee Spotlight: Libby Stevenson, K-5 Art Teacher
Our "Employee Spotlight" series aims to showcase the unique personalities, talents, and stories that contribute to the success of our district. This section celebrates the incredible individuals who make our Lansing USD469 community thrive.
Libby Stevenson, K-5 Art Teacher
Question: How long have you worked for Lansing USD469?
Answer: I have worked 12 years as a teacher and two years as a para. I am also a Lansing Grad.
Question: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the role you have within the school district?
Answer: I have degrees in visual art (KCKCC), elementary education (Emporia), and special education (Emporia). I am super blessed because I get to have my two dream jobs; I am a K-5 art teacher and a mom. My house is filled with kids (a boy and a girl), dogs, and my amazing husband of 13 years. My weekends are full of sports games, family time, knitting, crocheting, and reading. My work days starts with 5th grade and ends with Kindergarten. A day in my life is full of paint, glue, oil pastels, construction paper, and SO many hugs.
Question: What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do in the school district?
Answer: I teach art to 506 students, and they are the best part of my job! I love watching them grow as artist. My favorite thing is when I tell them what we will learn today and they say "I don't know how to do that!" Knowing that I get to teach them something new is so cool!
I also adore the staff I work with. They are more like family than co-workers. They constantly support me and encourage me to become the best version of myself.
Question: What is something unusual about you that most people don't know?
Answer: My husband, kids, and I are all competitive fencers. My husband and I fenced in collage and we always wanted our kids to fence. Our daughter, Emma, started when she was five years old.
Question: Could you share a particularly heartwarming or memorable experience you've had while working with students or colleagues?
Answer: My favorite memory is from a few years ago. I used to teach fourth grade reading to about 100 students. One day, I forgot my lunch and went to order one from the cafeteria (gravy day is the best). As I came in, a group of my former students saw me and started clapping. Before long, more kids caught on and the whole cafeteria gave me a standing ovation, including the staff. I was in tears. It was such a special moment.
Question: What piece of advice would you like to offer to students to help them succeed and make the most of their educational journey?
Answer: Be active in our community. It is amazing how much you can learn from other people. Resist the temptation to stay home and closed off all the time.