the Telegraph Herald reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n“I like to see the patriotism we have in this school. I think it’s important,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawrence was one of three teachers who received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Iowa 2015 Teacher of the Year Award for his dedication to teaching patriotism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emily Schaefers, a seventh-grader, said her teacher deserved the recognition. She said she especially enjoys his stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It helps me understand things about the military more,” Emily said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawrence was involved in the invasion of Panama when he served in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1991. He re-entered in 1997 and served seven years with the Special Forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I missed it. I still miss it today,” Lawrence said. “It’s something I think about a lot.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of his time in the military was spent in Central America and the Middle East. Lawrence’s most recent deployment was to Afghanistan in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawrence said he answers as many student questions as he can about his service and experiences in other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I talk about lifelong friends I have made and places I have seen. (I talk about) the importance of a strong military. I talk about integrity, honor, selfless service, responsibility and a sense of pride in your work \u2014 all things I associate with the military” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheri Werges, a language arts and U.S. history teacher, said patriotism is part of the school’s culture. For instance, students have historically fared well in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Werges credited some of that success to Lawrence’s openness with students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s wonderful. They need to know what the world out there is like,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawrence also teaches hunter education in school and is an instructor with ALICE, an active-shooter preparedness program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Lawrence always knew he wanted to join the military, he never imagined he would be a teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I never thought about being a teacher. It just happened,” Lawrence said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clayton Ridge Middle School officials knew Lawrence through his wife, Sara, who works at the school. In 1995, Lawrence became an associate to help a student who had discipline issues. Soon after, Lawrence found himself helping a lot of students, and he decided to obtain his teaching endorsement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawrence, who has a bachelor of science in biology and conservation management, received his endorsement in one year instead of the typical two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He now teaches his middle child, Colton, an eighth-grader. Colton said he is proud of his father’s accomplishments and enjoys being in his classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s fun, but it’s also a little intimidating. He has high standards,” Colton said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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