WYOMING, Mich. — Students and their parents in Godfrey-Lee Schools are mourning the loss of a teacher who they say was beloved by the school community.
Juan Carlos Lozano was found dead in the 5800 block of West Taylor Road around 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Oceana County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office says he was found with a gunshot wound. They are currently investigating his death as suspicious.
Lozano taught math at Lee Middle School, and was 13 ON YOUR SIDE'S Teacher of the Week in September 2023.
"It was definitely one of the great moments for him," said Elias Salgado, and eighth grader who had Lozano as a teacher in seventh grade. "He was really surprised that he won it and he was pretty emotional about it."
"He was a great person. He definitely knew how to teach," said Salgado.
With parent supervision and approval, 13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with several students who had Mr. Lozano as a teacher after expressing that they had wanted to speak about him.
"He always had a smile on his face every single day," said seventh grader Xavier Juarez. "He would always come up to people if they're having a bad day or feeling kind of sad. Like, he will always like cheer them up and everything."
Juarez says Lozano taught him much more than math.
"He like sat by me, always told me like, never give up, or anything like that. Try always, try your best," recounted Juarez.
"He had a whole lot of passion in his heart to help people. So they can get better at math or do something to get their grade up, or just to help them to do better on their assignments," said seventh grader Anthony Rivas.
The students also spoke about memories, like when Lozano would toss candy to them if they answered a question correctly, and how he wore different hats for his students, which included being their soccer coach.
"He really tried his best out there in the field," said seventh grader Alan Herera. "He helped us learn tricks, and some people that don't know how to play soccer, he helped them how to pass the ball."
School district officials have said that they are currently unable to provide comment due to the active investigation, but said in a letter sent to families that the loss of Lozano has deeply affected the community, and that counseling would be available for students and staff.
The students saying that they will be remembering him well.
"We wish he was still here," said Herera. "At least you're in a better place now, and I know you'll be watching over us."
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