COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — Lisa Czypera has had a rough go this last school year, losing her home in the late August tornado that hit Comstock Park. Those challenges haven’t stopped this educator from showing up for her students. It’s part of the reason she’s our next Teacher of the Week.
“Well, they were supposed to be testing. So, I was like, ‘oh no', I step out of the classroom, and they let loose,” said Czypera after we revealed that she’s our Teacher of the Week.
She reacted saying, “Gosh, it’s heartwarming. These are my kids during the day. So, I don’t think I do anything special or above and beyond but thank you.”
Brian Morrison is the principal of Pine Island Elementary School. He said, “Mrs. Czypera is a lifelong CP. Her family has roots here. She’s very proud of being a Comstock Park community member and it shines with how she cares for her kids in her classroom.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, I just knew that that’s what I would be doing,” said Czypera, adding that, “I just was going to be a teacher and what better place to do it than where I live.”
She explained why she feels so close to her students, saying, “I see them during the week more than I get to see my own two kiddos and I just want it to be a comfortable, fun place to be.”
That comfort was tested at the beginning of the school year.
“Our roof was lifted up. Some of the third-grade classrooms were pretty much destroyed in the tornado with the winds coming through and knocking stuff over,” said Czypera.
The situation tested this teacher in more ways than one.
“Our house made CNN news. It was crazy. Our cars were trapped in the garage. We are living with my mom here in Comstock Park,” said Czypera.
Principal Morrison said, “Sometimes the best things that bond a team are the trials and tribulations you go through. Dealing with the tragedy of losing her home itself but still coming in and being positive for the kids in our building. That’s a lot. That’s a lot for someone to deal with.”
“Well, our first unit in Language Arts was perseverance and you couldn’t ask for a better theme than that. Not only was my house ruined but a lot of homes had trees through the roofs, damaged garages, cars,” said Czypera as she described the lesson she wants her students to learn from this, saying, “You’ve got to keep going and I keep saying that, yeah, our situation isn’t the best but given our situation, we’re in the best possible spot that we could be.”
“Leadership runs very deep in our building. We are very big on the leadership habits. We want to create leaders. Mrs. Czypera does a phenomenal job modeling that with our kids every day,” said Morrison.
“We love the kids. We go home, we think about them, we worry about them, and we do our best every day. So, when somebody acknowledges that, it makes you feel good,” said Czypera.
Morrison, encouraging everyone, said, “Community, don’t forget to thank your teachers because they truly do take in the kids during the day and think of them like their own kids which is special. I don’t feel we get a lot of recognition for our people in education. I absolutely adore what you guys are doing.”
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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