New Team Member // Lauren Acker, Third Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Lauren Acker and I am beyond excited to be joining DAA's staff. This year I will be teaching the first ever third grade class at DAA! 

I have lived and worked in Detroit for the past two years. I started working here the same year that DAA opened, and I have always heard such wonderful things about the teachers, students, and families. I have also been blown away by the achievements and accomplishments of DAA students over the past two years.

Before moving to Detroit, I worked and taught in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC.  I loved living in both of those cities and they both had a lot to offer, but my husband and I decided to move back to Detroit to be near family as we began our own family.  In the past year and a half we got a puppy and had a baby girl, both of whom keep us busy but are so much fun!

When I think about why I'm excited to join the DAA team, a couple of thoughts come to mind. First, I have already felt so welcomed by the rest of the staff. DAA truly feels like a family.  I am thrilled to be joining this team, and for all of the opportunities that we will have this year to work and learn together. I am constantly trying to grow and improve as a teacher and be the best teacher that I can be for my students. I know that the DAA staff will help me to reach these goals (and have fun doing so!)

I am also really looking forward to the Expeditionary Learning model. Ms. McMillan and I are hard at work planning the first expedition for 2nd and 3rd grade students, focused on the early history of our great state of Michigan (stay tuned for many more details and updates throughout the next few months!)  This is my first experience working at an Expeditionary Learning school, and I can already see the value in teaching and learning in this way. Students will get to explore a topic really deeply and truly become experts in the topic, while also practicing their reading and writing skills along the way.

I can't wait to meet all of you and get to know you this school year!
-Mrs. Acker