Avon teacher emphasizing moral maturity

AVON, Ind. (WISH) - Reading, writing and respect are the lessons taught in one Avon classroom. Krissi Lambert is a teacher, a coach and a mentor to her students at Avon Middle School North. Lambert's language arts class cultivates a crop of little linguists.

In the classroom, seventh graders learn about more than writing and grammar, phrasing and context. They learn about life, compassion, character and respect.

Lambert works year-round as a Special Olympics volunteer serving on the Central Indiana board and planning events for its athletes. She brings that spirit of service to school, incorporating character-building lessons in class. She encourages sensitivity in dealing with those with intellectual disabilities.

"To me, character development is probably the most important standard in education. Trying, through academic work, to prepare these students to be better people," said Lambert.

Lambert has many opportunities to have a positive influence on her students. She serves as the tennis coach, assistant track coach and the student council sponsor.

"The way she runs her classroom, the student council and the tennis team, it's this atmosphere for moral responsibility." said eighth-grader Mark Bode.

In her language arts class, Lambert's students learn the language of living life with integrity.

"Maybe if just in this classroom, in this school, in this small town, but that's all we can hope for is to do our part in our little section of the world," said Lambert.

Because of Lambert, the student council has decided to raise money to sponsor an Indiana Special Olympian in the national competition.