Lori Lamb

Lori Lamb is currently the Alternative Education Director and teacher at Mansfield Middle School.  Thirty-five years of close work with at-risk children of all ages have brought many robust experiences.  Teaching in TX, NC and AR K-12th graders, created a broad familiarity with all content concerning curriculum and expectations.  Numerous state and national recognition awards to include; NDPN Crystal Star Award, Being a juror on Brock International Prize in Education, ARC Texas Teacher of the Year, and nomination for the Disney Hand National Teacher of the Year.  Many volunteer leadership opportunities help support our most challenged students such as; AR Pygmalion Commission, Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators, VP and President of National Alternative Education Association, Special Olympics Coach, Church Youth, Children, Missions and Women’s Mission Leadership, Summer Missionary to Brazil, School Discipline Committees, Student Motivation and PTA opportunities are some of the major volunteer situations.

Lori has been privileged to keynote and provide breakout sessions in AR, CO, FL, GA, MI, OH, OK, TN, and TX to name a few of the states.  She has also strategically helped to support state leadership, law, rules and participation in alternative education state associations for the states already mentioned in addition to AL, AZ, IN, LA, NM, OR, WA, WI, and also offered international support through the NAEA.  A major accomplishment occurred during her leadership of NAEA is being part of the team that initially published The Guiding Principles for Alternative Education.  Serving at Arkansas Department of Education as the Director of Alternative Education from 2004 – 2019 allowed much growth and development for AR Alternative Education and individually through the numerous  situations facing state agencies.  Lori Lamb chose to return to the classroom to end her professional career where it began, working directly through instructional opportunities daily with individual alternative education students.

Mrs. Lamb earned her Bachelor of Science degree in teaching PK-8^th grade and Special Education from East Texas State University.  Arkansas State University’s MS in Education Leadership helped to refine the skills demonstrated through service in many national projects.  Math / Literacy Improvement, CASEL (SEL), Rural School Districts, Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education and Chasing the Dragon Opioid Epidemic) are a few of the topics concerning special projects. She continues to enjoy her family, children and grandchildren daily.  Gardening, kayaking, swimming, visiting with friends and family are many of the relaxing activities she gets to participate in.  Married to William Lamb in 1983, the two have encouraged each other’s passionate work with at-risk children and young people through their individual careers and as foster parents of more than twenty teenage boys.