One of the four retiring teachers entering their last semester of teaching is Mrs. Lori Van Houten. Mrs. Van Houten is one of St. Charles West’s english and language arts teachers. From english 3 to college composition Mrs. Van Houten covers it all. She has helped so many students become more comfortable in their english classes and has made a major impact on student’s daily lives here at SCW.
Mrs. Van Houten went to Illinois State University where she got her Bachelors in Literature and Masters in Rhetoric and Composition as well as Teaching Writing. In the years following her college graduation Mrs. Van Houten gained lots of experience. Before teaching at SCW she also taught at many other schools and colleges around the country, with those being University of Wyoming, Mount Union College, and Whiting Alternative high school. Not only has Mrs. Van Houten been a teacher/professor but Mrs. Van Houten also ran a Habitat for Humanity affiliate and built 25 homes for low income families in Ohio. Mrs. Van Houten joined the SCW team in 2007 and has been working here at SCW for 18 years, nearly two decades.
With all the free time that Mrs. Van Houten will have during retirement, she already has lots of plans. She plans on traveling more and said, “I have a trip through the Mediterranean planned already!” Besides traveling Mrs. Van Houten also plans on gardening, reading, and walking her dog. She’s also hoping to pick up new hobbies, like cooking. “I’m going to become a grill master, which is an extra challenge because I’m a vegetarian,” Mrs. Van Houten said.
While retirement is exciting Mrs. Van Houten said there’s a lot she will miss about SCW. “I will deeply miss how much heart the students have,” Mrs. Van Houten said. Mrs. Van Houten said she will also miss, “Faculty meetings. Just kidding. The kids are my favorite thing, always.”
Because of Mrs. Van Houtens extensive experience at SCW she has good advice for future teachers. Mrs. Van Houten said, “Don’t be afraid to say no.  Just know that the kids will turn out alright, even if at the moment one is a messy mess.”
With the effect Mrs. Van Houten has made on SCW and the wonderful impact she has made on students, SCW will deeply miss her and wishes her the best in retirement!
