Nearly Half a Century of Teaching Students
Beloved Educator Loretta Lester Retires After 43 Years of Dedicated Service to Goldman School
Teacher's Nearly Half-Century Career Helped Shape Louisiana's First Inclusive Child Development Center
SHREVEPORT, LA – After 43 years of transforming young lives through inclusive education, Loretta Lester is retiring from The Arc Caddo-Bossier's Goldman School and Child Development Centers. Lester's remarkable career spans more than half of the school's 71-year history, making her one of the longest-serving educators in the institution's legacy.
The Goldman School holds the distinction of being Louisiana's first inclusive child development center, pioneering the integration of children with and without disabilities in the same classroom. This groundbreaking approach grew from a group of families establishing The Arc Caddo-Bossier for their children in 1954. Today, the school stands as a model for centers throughout Louisiana, and Lester has been instrumental in its success.
Ms. Loretta’s journey with Goldman School began in 1981 through a serendipitous visit to see a friend who worked there. "I came to visit again and again and before you know it I was hired," Lester shared, reflecting on her unexpected path to a career that would span more than four decades.
Throughout her tenure, Ms. Loretta has been a passionate advocate for inclusive education, witnessing firsthand the profound benefits of bringing children of all abilities together. "Children with special needs learn from typical children. Typical children learn from (those with) special needs," Ms. Loretta explained. "They learn how to socialize. They learn how to share. They learn how to build friendships."
Her philosophy of acceptance and inclusion has guided her teaching approach for decades. "That's the main thing I like teaching them is to accept others for who they are," Ms. Loretta said. "It gives me joy. It gives me joy that I can impact somebody else's life."
During her four decades at Goldman School, Ms. Loretta has enjoyed working with children of different ages and abilities, helping to nurture countless young minds and fostering an environment of mutual understanding and respect. "We will miss Ms. Loretta's daily presence on our campus but know her legacy will live on as the standards she set are woven into the fabric of our organization," said Kristen Powers, Executive Director of The Arc Caddo-Bossier. "She led by example and always took time to share her incredible talent as she coached fellow teachers and parents, including me. When my son was in her class, she gave me much needed guidance that helped me become a better parent."
Her innovative teaching methods and deep compassion for her students are exemplified in stories like that of Joseph Bianca, a young student who developed a sudden stutter. Rather than single him out, Ms. Loretta had his entire class speak in whispers, creating an inclusive solution that helped Joseph overcome his challenge while teaching all the children empathy and adaptation. The Goldman School's unique approach gave Joseph a distinctive perspective on the world that continues to guide him today.
As Ms. Loretta prepares for retirement, she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and transformative education that has touched the lives of generations of families in the Caddo-Bossier community. The depth of her impact was evident at her retirement party held at The Arc Caddo-Bossier on Tuesday, June 24, where family and past co-workers gathered to celebrate her remarkable career. Most touching of all, parents of the children she taught throughout her decades of service attended the celebration, many arriving directly from their jobs still in their work uniforms, having taken time off to honor the amazing woman who taught their children.
Her impact is perhaps best summarized by colleague Jerah Foster, who said, "There is only ONE Ms. Loretta!!! So grateful for my years as your coworker and even more grateful for the time, love, and wisdom you poured into my own child when she was your student!"
The Arc Caddo-Bossier's Goldman School and Child Development Centers continue to serve as a beacon of inclusive education, building on the foundation that educators like Loretta Lester have helped establish over more than seven decades of service.
About The Arc Caddo-Bossier The Arc Caddo-Bossier advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Goldman School and Child Development Centers provide inclusive early childhood education, serving children with and without disabilities in integrated classroom settings.
Contact Information:
Casey Jones
Director Marketing and Communications
cjones@thearccaddobossier.org