Kristin and Loralie: Best Friends Forever!

February is Heart Month at The Worthy Educator, honoring those special colleagues who make a difference in our lives and careers, celebrating how longterm, loyal, caring, nurturing, professional friendships enhance our experience as professionals!

Kristin Vogel-Campbell honors Loralie Baum:

I’ve known Loralie for 11 years. When I was a middle school Resource Specialist (Special Education), Loralie was a 6th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher. We shared students. I found her to be extremely collaborative, and she always made sure that students received their accommodations. She would ask questions as well as make suggestions, and always had feedback for students' IEPs. Years later, as a Special Education administrator, I had the opportunity to work with her again to ensure that students with extensive needs could be included into General Education classrooms. Loralie always stepped up to the plate and was patient and empathetic with students and parents. In addition to our professional relationship, Loralie is one of if not my best friend. She's been there to support me in the roughest times, and was my maid of honor at my wedding in 2016. I cannot think of a better teacher and friend to appreciate.

In January 2014, about six months into our working relationship, Loralie, myself, and a few other teachers from our school went to a professional development session in Portland, Oregon. This was truly the trip where we bonded and solidified our friendship. After the PD session a group of five teachers were going into the city center to spend an extra two nights in Portland downtown to explore. This is before the days of Lyft XL or Uber X. We called a local cab company asking for a minivan to accommodate us and our luggage. When a Prius showed up we called the cab company back, and they told us the next van would be ready in two hours. We made a decision in the 25 degree Portland cold that I would ride in the trunk with the bags. Thankfully, we made it to our final destination safely.

One moment that always stands out to me happened years after that Portland trip, when we were working together to support the inclusion of a student with significant needs into a general education classroom. It was one of those situations where the logistics were complicated, the emotions in the room were high, and everyone involved, including educators and family members, was carrying understandable concerns. I remember watching Loralie intentionally slow the conversation down, creating space for every voice to be heard. She asked thoughtful questions, clarified assumptions, and consistently redirected the discussion back to the student as a whole human being rather than a list of services or challenges.

What made that moment especially powerful was her unwavering belief that inclusion works best when it is built collectively. She modeled collaboration by valuing input from general and special educators equally, honoring family expertise, and reminding the team that shared responsibility leads to shared success. After the meeting, when I admitted how heavy the responsibility felt, she reminded me that inclusion is not about perfection but about commitment, trust, and showing up together for students. That moment captured who Loralie is to me: a deeply collaborative professional, a champion for inclusive practices, and a friend who leads with both courage and compassion.

Loralie, thank you for being my #edufriend and so much more! I am so glad our paths crossed at Parkside more than a decade ago. You continuously inspire me through your efforts to ensure that all students feel welcome and included in your classroom. You go above and beyond, planning fun and interactive lessons, hosting the LEGO club at your school, and serving as an instructional leader and model. I'm so grateful we've been able to share so many wonderful memories together, from Disney to Salem, Delaware, the rodeo, and even to Narita, Japan! You're the Rose to my Dorothy, and I love you!

Kristin Vogel-Campbell

A Worthy Educator

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See our entire celebration of #edufriends and share your tribute to a special colleague or group of peers here so that we can honor you and them!