The April Rotary Teacher of the Month is Lori Bachelder Nelson, 6th grade Home Economics and 8th grade Culinary Arts teacher at Dana Middle School.   She has been with AUSD for 27 years.  
     Lori is a product of Arcadia schools and after graduating from Arcadia High, earned her BS in Home Economics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and her Masters in Education from Azusa Pacific University.  Being an educator came naturally to Lori as her mother, Mrs. Joyce Bachelder, taught US History at First Avenue Middle School for over 30 years.  Her grandfather, who was chief of police in Alhambra in the 50s, taught police science at Cal State Los Angeles.   
     As a Home Economics teacher, Lori teaches her students basic cooking techniques like pastry, eggs & cheese, Mexican foods, confections, fruits & vegetables.  As a leader at her school site, Lori is a beginning teacher support provider, a Mentor teacher and has taught Arcadia Educational Foundation summer school for several years.  Lori is also the Associated Student Body (ASB) advisor and in that capacity coordinates the Student Recognition Breakfast, “Ports of Call” student registration/orientation, the week-long Outdoor Science School field trip for all of the 6th graders, and the 6th grade theme day to celebrate Earth Day where students rotate through a variety of “Earth Awareness” stations.   Lori’s biggest reward in teaching is helping students develop skills to be successful in life. 
     Lori is also proud that she was a part of helping Dana earn the 1997-1998 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designation and was PTA President at Holly Avenue Elementary School the following year when it achieved the same honor. 
     Some recognitions Lori has received include the District’s Profiles in Excellence award in 1995, PTA’s Honorary Service Award at Dana in 1996 and PTA’s  Continuing Service Award at Holly Avenue Elementary in 2000.  She earned mini grants from AEF in 2007 & 2009 and one from Rotary in 2008.
     Lori and her husband have a daughter- Kaylee – a senior at San Diego State University majoring in kinesiology, and a son, Logan, who is in his second year at Mt. SAC where he is concentrating on becoming a fire fighter.  The family has 2 mini-schnauzers – Kaycee & Sassy – who entertain them for hours each day.  In their space time, Lori’s family enjoys going to Big Bear where they have a place in an RV resort on the lake.  They enjoy family RV trips and this summer anticipate a trip to Yellowstone, Utah and Montana.