A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Linda Lemond

linda-lemondA teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils. -Ever Garrison

This very appropriate quote is in regards to this week's Portage Life in the Spotlight: Linda Lemond. Lemond is a retired Portage High School teacher that loves her town, loves her family, and loves her life.

Born and raised in the state of New York, Lemond discovered at an early age that she loved books.

 "I was shy and quiet," Lemond said. "I loved school and reading. One of my favorite things was to go in and read to the first graders when I was in the third grade. I thought that was really hot stuff. When I went to a Luthren school I got into choir. I loved singing and writes music and I still do."

Lemond moved from New York to Valparaiso to study English Education and Art at Valparaiso University. There she obtained her bachelor's degree and did her student teaching at Lowell. There she met her husband, Mike. He was an economy teacher and assistant football coach.

What brought the Lemonds to Portage was football. Mike went to be the assistant coach for football at PHS and Linda found a job as a 7th grade English teacher at Ailsworth Middle School. 

"I loved the energy of the middle school. I still keep in contact with my students," Lemond said happily. "1970 was a big year for me. I got married, graduated from college, and got my first job all in one year."

 When their first daughter was born, Lemond became a stay-at-home mom. She didn't go far from Portage Schools though. She became a room mom and painted murals in the schools. She also volunteered for the Portage Junior Women's Club and St. Peter Lutheren Church. In 1992 she came back as a teacher to Portage, this time to the high school as an American Literature teacher. She taught until 2004 which was when she decided to retire.

Now the Portage Exchange Club and her church keep Lemond and her husband busy as well as their grandson. She loves to read, write music for her church as she is the music director there, and paint. 

"I've been very blessed," Lemond said. "I met wonderful kids when I was a teacher and it still makes my day when I meet some of my old students."

So how does one maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life like Lemond?

"Whatever you undertake, give it your all. And be kind to other people," Lemond ended simply.