Patricia Lofthouse Taught in Oswego 308 as a Learning Resource Center Teacher

The following retirement profile was provided by Oswego 308. Leading up to the end of the school year, Patch will be posting these profiles for all retiring teachers, administration and staff in the district. Congratulations to all on your retirement!

8 Years in District 308, 11 Years in Education

“Pat Lofthouse has been one of Churchill’s technology and literacy experts. Her dynamic lessons and creativity have encouraged students to explore all resource media when conducting research or reading for enjoyment. Pat will be remembered for transforming Churchill Elementary School’s LRC into a world where learning is enjoyed and appreciated by all. Her expertise and passion will truly be missed.”

-Principal Tammie Harmon

Patricia Lofthouse’s first job out of college was as a long-term sub at Christopher School for the Physically Handicapped in Chicago in 1972. Once her oldest daughter, Amy, was born in 1973, Pat left substituting, took Instructional Media endorsement classes at Northeastern Illinois University and in 1975 returned to teaching as a teacher/librarian at St. Ignatius School in Chicago. It was a brief return as she left teaching again in 1977 to have her two youngest children, Andrew and Alyson. In 1979 she returned to school to obtain her master's degree in Library Science from the University of Chicago. 

For the next 25 years Pat worked in the private sector, in educational, advertising and television research libraries. She decided to return to teaching in 2005 and was hired as the Learning Resource Center Teacher at Churchill Elementary School in District 308.   

For four of her eight years at Churchill Elementary, Pat conducted the Media Club, a "radio" news show that fourth and fifth grade students "broadcast" over the school intercom. The news team chose topics and did their research on the Internet, wrote and edited copy, and then produced the show one morning per week after announcements.  “I videotaped one of their programs and it is my prized possession,” Pat said. 

While working in District 308, Pat secured grants from Walmart, Oswego Foundation for Educational Excellence, District 308 Retired Teachers Association and Illinois School Library Media Association for school resources and professional development. She was also featured in a Ledger-Sentinel article in 2007.

Oswego East students helping setup the new LRC and principals roof-sitting for a day as an incentive for Churchill’s collective reading of 5,000 books are a couple of Pat’s favorite memories. However, it is the people such as her principals, assistant principals, teaching assistants and library volunteers that Pat will always remember.

Reading a mile-long list of award-winning books is on Pat’s things-to-do list during retirement. “I’d also like to lend my hand to writing, help take care of my three grandchildren, and continue to try to do some good works,” she said.

Read: All retiring members of District 308

Were you ever taught by Patricia Lofthouse? Share your memories below!