Medina honors kindergarten teacher with bench, garden and little library at playground
Provided photos: The Oak Orchard Elementary School on Friday dedicated a new bench, little library and garden in honor of Andrea Lonnen, a kindergarten teacher who was 45 when she passed away on April 22, 2018.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Kindergarten teacher Andrea Lonnen was not only beloved by her family, husband Kip and their children – Hannah, Dylan and Maggie – but by the entire Oak Orchard student body and staff. Her loss on April 22, 2018 devastated all that knew her and loved her.
“She was such a positive influence in the school community as a teacher, colleague, union member, sports fan, chick-hatching expert and friends,” says Oak Orchard Elementary School Principal Julie Webber. “She worked at Oak Orchard for 18 years and we wanted her memory to live on at Medina Central School District.”
Mrs. Lonnen loved all of the students at Oak Orchard like they were her own. From the moment she welcomed them into kindergarten she made it her mission to nurture them as individuals. “One of the greatest gifts that Mrs. Lonnen gave to her students was the gift of reading,” says Mrs. Webber. “We wanted that gift to live on so we decided to install a new bench, garden and little library so that the families that visit our school’s playground could spend time together and read just like Mrs. Lonnen did with her own children and students. I would like to extend a special thank you to the Oak Orchard Student Council and Medina Teacher Association for donating the books for the little library.”
On Friday the dedication was held at Oak Orchard. The Lonnen children unveiled the items to the community with the hopes that it will inspire reading, family bonding and the love of learning and pay tribute to their mother’s legacy. At the conclusion, the Oak Orchard students celebrated their love of Mrs. Lonnen and filled the air with bubbles as she filled their lives with the gift of learning.
