After retiring from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) as a special needs educator in 2015, Lisa Poynter began teaching part-time in the DORS (Drop Out Recovery School) Program at Christel House Acdemy on the south side of Indianapolis. After teaching at Christel House from November, 2016 until June, 2018, she accepted a position as a special needs educator for the math department at Pike High School, also in Indianapolis. Devoting her entire career to reaching students who struggle to learn, or who wish to go back and give education a second chance, Lisa just can't seem to stay retired!
The last decade of Ms. Poynter's career with IPS as a special needs educator was spent co-teaching Algebra I, geometry, chemistry, biology, and resource classes. Prior to that, she was chosen, in partnership with Lutheran Child and Family Services, to start the "On Grounds" IPS classroom at Lutherwood Residential Treatment Facility. Students from all over the state of Indiana, 6-18 years of age, who struggled with severe mental illness were able to attend school even though they were unable to leave the protected Lutherwood environment. Preparing students for successful re-entry into an IPS public school setting was the last step enabling them to be released from Lutherwood and reunited with family members and schools from all over the state of Indiana.
Lisa has also taught "Fundamentals of Mathematics" for college freshman who did not pass the math portion of the Accuplacer entrance exam at Indiana Business College, which later became Harrison College. Additionally, she has taught and written curriculum for the Summer Education and Employment Program (S.E.E.) with the Vivian Smith Teen Parenting Program, in which teen mothers attended a life skills class in the morning and a community job in the afternoon.
Lastly, Lisa was the substitute teacher at Craine House in Indianapolis, which provides an alternative to traditional incarceration for women. Inmates attended G.E.D. classes, searched for employment, and were taught effective parenting strategies, all while nurturing their pre-school age children as they resided with their mothers at Craine House. Lisa has had great success teaching individuals who face very challenging circumstances.
Whatever your past experiences may be, Resource Learning Communities provides another chance to discover an educational pathway tailored to fit your needs. Let's get started!
