The school board finalized the decision to honor Mrs. Lawrence by renaming the building. It has been a long and exhausting road to get here but she finally has the recognition she deserves in this town. Keep watching the upcoming school signage for the change.
February 7, 2016
Final supporters
“Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” (Henry Brooks Adams)
In the face of today’s changing climate of education, there are fewer people pursuing the teaching field as their profession. Over the past few decades, there has been an apparent decline in respect for educators both in and out of the classroom, yet the mandates to obtain and maintain teaching certification continue to increase. There are likely countless college bound students who could be gifted educators, but have chosen a different career path. We will never know what profound and positive effects some of them might have had on young people.
One of those special educators who epitomized the kind of person we all wish could guide our children left this world almost 25 years ago. Children raised in Owego over the past quarter century have not been fortunate enough to have their lives directly touched by Connie Lawrence. Many of the ‘baby boomers’ who attended schools in Owego were blessed to have Mrs. Lawrence as a teacher, a principal, a coach, a mentor, and a friend until her untimely passing in 1991. Despite the passing of years since her death, her contributions still remain in the lives and memories of many native Owegoans.
Mrs. Lawrence’s career as an educator in Owego spanned four decades. During that time, she was a teacher at the old Talcott Street School, and later at Owego North Elementary School. As a classroom teacher, she made it a point to write a letter about each individual student in her classroom, which was sent home to their parents at the end of each school year. She took a personal interest in each student who passed through her domain.
She also served as school principal (the first female principal) at Central Elementary School from about 1968 until it closed for good in 1973. Outside of her career as an educator, she was instrumental in promoting sports for the girls of Owego. During a time when girls were generally relegated to cheerleading, band, and baton twirling, Mrs. Lawrence created the town’s first softball league for girls. Once established, she also served as coach of one of the teams. For many years, she was also the OFA girls’ varsity bowling coach. Yet, these are mere ‘facts’ of her career. She extended herself far above and beyond her contractual obligations, in ways that cannot be tallied in this letter alone. Many are aware that her name appears on the Owego Free Academy Wall of Fame, in recognition of her many accomplishments.
Connie Lawrence exemplified a teacher’s dedication to students above and beyond the typical calling of the teaching profession. I invite the signers of this petition to also share any personal experiences of how Mrs. Connie Lawrence touched their lives.
Sincerely,
Ann Hartman Buckley (OFA Class of ’77)
We, the signers of this petition, ask that the new Owego Elementary School be formally renamed in memory of Mrs. Connie Lawrence.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 18, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2015
December 16, 2015
The uphill climb to reach one hundred signatures is proving to be more grueling than I anticipated. I am exhausted by the silence from those in charge but I refuse to let Mrs. Lawrence be forgotten. Please send this link to anyone you know so we can finally hit this first milestone and force them to pay attention.
207 Comments
Mrs Lawerence, just a very caring woman. I only had her for a few months when in 6th grade. But have never forgotten her. My husband also meet her in a different setting, she did not no him, but bought him breakfast, he had no money that morning.
Mrs. Lawrence was my 6th grade teacher at Talcott Street Elementary. She was adored by all her students, and I think renaming the the elementary school for her would be a wonderful tribute. She made learning fun and cared for each and every student in her class.
I never had her as a classroom teacher but she did teach a large group of us to dance during recess. We took those new skills to our 6th grade graduation & with us for life. She also kept us intranced with her storytelling of local history & ghost stories. I think of her often.
Connie was not only there for her students , she also soothed the nerves of this nervous parent that had her child transitioning from St. Pats to Owego Elementary-- and then to middle school-- I have held other teachers to Connie's standard for many years-- she was remarkable !!!
One of the best teachers. Did up with life day and taught me how to be the person I am today. Inspired me to join the military if which I have served for nearly 20 years to include Afghan & Iraq. A true legend a hero! Hands down this school needs to be named in her honor & memory!
I can't think of any person better suited to have the school names. She saved my brother from a lifetime of ignorance.
Just one of the thousands of lives she touched.
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The school board finalized the decision to honor Mrs. Lawrence by renaming the building. It has been a long and exhausting road to get here but she finally has the recognition she deserves in this town. Keep watching the upcoming school signage for the change.
February 7, 2016
Final supporters
“Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” (Henry Brooks Adams)
In the face of today’s changing climate of education, there are fewer people pursuing the teaching field as their profession. Over the past few decades, there has been an apparent decline in respect for educators both in and out of the classroom, yet the mandates to obtain and maintain teaching certification continue to increase. There are likely countless college bound students who could be gifted educators, but have chosen a different career path. We will never know what profound and positive effects some of them might have had on young people.
One of those special educators who epitomized the kind of person we all wish could guide our children left this world almost 25 years ago. Children raised in Owego over the past quarter century have not been fortunate enough to have their lives directly touched by Connie Lawrence. Many of the ‘baby boomers’ who attended schools in Owego were blessed to have Mrs. Lawrence as a teacher, a principal, a coach, a mentor, and a friend until her untimely passing in 1991. Despite the passing of years since her death, her contributions still remain in the lives and memories of many native Owegoans.
Mrs. Lawrence’s career as an educator in Owego spanned four decades. During that time, she was a teacher at the old Talcott Street School, and later at Owego North Elementary School. As a classroom teacher, she made it a point to write a letter about each individual student in her classroom, which was sent home to their parents at the end of each school year. She took a personal interest in each student who passed through her domain.
She also served as school principal (the first female principal) at Central Elementary School from about 1968 until it closed for good in 1973. Outside of her career as an educator, she was instrumental in promoting sports for the girls of Owego. During a time when girls were generally relegated to cheerleading, band, and baton twirling, Mrs. Lawrence created the town’s first softball league for girls. Once established, she also served as coach of one of the teams. For many years, she was also the OFA girls’ varsity bowling coach. Yet, these are mere ‘facts’ of her career. She extended herself far above and beyond her contractual obligations, in ways that cannot be tallied in this letter alone. Many are aware that her name appears on the Owego Free Academy Wall of Fame, in recognition of her many accomplishments.
Connie Lawrence exemplified a teacher’s dedication to students above and beyond the typical calling of the teaching profession. I invite the signers of this petition to also share any personal experiences of how Mrs. Connie Lawrence touched their lives.
Sincerely,
Ann Hartman Buckley (OFA Class of ’77)
We, the signers of this petition, ask that the new Owego Elementary School be formally renamed in memory of Mrs. Connie Lawrence.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
December 18, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2015
December 16, 2015
The uphill climb to reach one hundred signatures is proving to be more grueling than I anticipated. I am exhausted by the silence from those in charge but I refuse to let Mrs. Lawrence be forgotten. Please send this link to anyone you know so we can finally hit this first milestone and force them to pay attention.
207 Comments
Connie and her daughter Leanne came to Tioga County Jail to tutor me for my GED. I believe I was the first and I believe that this shows how far Connie was willing to go to be an educator! I'll alway remember them both!! :-)
Mrs Lawerence, just a very caring woman. I only had her for a few months when in 6th grade. But have never forgotten her. My husband also meet her in a different setting, she did not no him, but bought him breakfast, he had no money that morning.
Mrs. Lawrence was my 6th grade teacher at Talcott Street Elementary. She was adored by all her students, and I think renaming the the elementary school for her would be a wonderful tribute. She made learning fun and cared for each and every student in her class.
I never had her as a classroom teacher but she did teach a large group of us to dance during recess. We took those new skills to our 6th grade graduation & with us for life. She also kept us intranced with her storytelling of local history & ghost stories. I think of her often.
Connie was not only there for her students , she also soothed the nerves of this nervous parent that had her child transitioning from St. Pats to Owego Elementary-- and then to middle school-- I have held other teachers to Connie's standard for many years-- she was remarkable !!!
One of the best teachers. Did up with life day and taught me how to be the person I am today. Inspired me to join the military if which I have served for nearly 20 years to include Afghan & Iraq. A true legend a hero! Hands down this school needs to be named in her honor & memory!
I can't think of any person better suited to have the school names. She saved my brother from a lifetime of ignorance.
Just one of the thousands of lives she touched.
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Connie and her daughter Leanne came to Tioga County Jail to tutor me for my GED. I believe I was the first and I believe that this shows how far Connie was willing to go to be an educator! I'll alway remember them both!! :-)