School: St. Therese Catholic School

Grade/subject teaching: Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade religion and science. I am also an also eighth-grade homeroom teacher.

Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a middle school endorsement from Indiana University- Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Years teaching: 12.

City born and raised: Fort Wayne

Current hometown: Monroeville

Family: Married 15 years to husband Rob. We have two sons who attend St. Louis Academy. Martin is in eighth grade, and Jarrett is in sixth grade.

Last book read: The book I am reading right now is “More Than Enough” by Dave Ramsey, and I just finished a couple of books on composting, gardening and growing better tomatoes.

Favorite teacher: Several great professors at IPFW. Professor James Farlow is an excellent paleontologist. He would take us on adventurous field trips to hunt for fossils or dinosaur footprints. I once spent two weeks in the West with one of his classes to learn about dinosaurs, fossils and the structure of the Earth. He made everything so real and relevant. My favorite teachers are those who work in my building now. I learn from my colleagues every day.

Favorite class in school: I have always liked science classes, but high school Latin was also a favorite.

Favorite memory: When teaching both science and religion, I get to see the aha! moment from students. There is nothing better than to see a student truly understand a new idea or concept. Even better is when students tell me that they taught the new concept to their family around the dinner table. I know they really understood it, if they can teach it to someone else.

How does your faith influence your teaching? My faith influences every aspect of my teaching. Because I teach at a Catholic school, I have the freedom to talk about God’s involvement in every part of our lives. Our student body starts every school day with a rosary, and I begin class with prayer. We pray, as a class, to find our vocation in life. For some students, that may be a career in science; for others, maybe a religious life. I make many connections between my two subjects. Many people think that science and religion are polar opposites. This is not true. The Catholic Church encourages and embraces the study and learning of science and the truth.

Nominated by: Shelley and Kevin Harris, parents

Reason for nomination: Mrs. Lortie is one of the best teachers we’ve come across. She is very kind, down to earth and professional, yet personable. Not only is she book-smart but she is very approachable in real life situations. She is very much involved with the children and their activities.