2025-26 #SuperSchoolShoutout
This week, we’re giving a #SuperSchoolShoutout to Lake Louise Elementary School with multilingual language learner (MLL) teacher Kathleen Friend and fourth grader Naomi Rosales-Alvarado.
Kathleen has worked for CPSD for 21 years and has wanted to teach since she was a child. “Every time I get to help a student and I see the lightbulbs turn on in their head, it makes me so happy,” she said. “It’s incredible to see how much they grow.”
Kathleen works with students from all grades who speak English as their second language to fill gaps that may be missing due to language barriers. “It’s my job to help students connect vocabulary they know in their first language to English,” she said. “Many times, they need support with writing or reading comprehension because English has so many unique phrases, idioms or expressions.”
Kathleen has 10 classes and sees up to 10 MLL students at a time. Students are usually focusing on reading and writing, but Kathleen’s favorite subject to work on is science. “As students expand their vocabulary and comprehension skills, it’s great to see them ask questions and look deeper as they create their STEAM Fair projects or complete an experiment.”
Kathleen loves working with the Lake Louise team because of the diverse staff and supportive environment. “We have teachers from different countries who speak different languages and it creates a unique culture,” she said. “I’m also confident that, if I went to any staff member here and asked for help, they wouldn’t hesitate to help me with absolutely anything.”
Kathleen is proud to be a board-certified teacher and is a mentor for other Lake Louise teachers, encouraging them to pursue higher education and certifications that not only help them achieve their goals but gives students a fantastic academic experience.
Naomi is Kathleen’s MLL student who recently found out that she has graduated from the MLL program. “I’m so happy that I’ve graduated, but I’m going to miss my MLL classes because they’re so much fun and I learned so much,” she said.
Naomi’s favorite subject is math because she loves to problem solve. However, this year she also enjoyed science. “I loved doing the science fair,” she said. “My project was about M&Ms and I did an experiment to see which dissolved the color coating on them faster; warm water, vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Water was the most successful.”
At her core, Naomi is an artist and enjoys art class where she can express herself. “Art is my favorite thing, and I love to create characters to express my feelings,” she said. “I like to make things that no one has ever thought of, and I love using watercolor as my medium.”
Next year, Naomi will miss her class, her counselor Mr. Reaves and her teacher Ms. Koroski, but she is excited to be a fifth grader and get to know her new teacher. “I’ve gone to Lake Louise all five years and I’ve heard a lot of good things about Ms. Moore’s class, so I’m really excited to learn from her.”
When Naiomi grows up, she wants to continue exploring her art skills by becoming a nail technician like her grandma. She is also considering becoming a full-time artist or entering the healthcare industry to help people who have cancer.