LHK’s Amy Lake is star of ‘Passion to Teach’

FALLS VILLAGE — A documentary film featuring Lee H. Kellogg School (LHK) social studies teacher Amy Lake makes its world premiere at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 4 p.m.

“Passion to Teach” is a project of Sandria Parsons and Bart Nourse.

Parsons is a former elementary school teacher. Nourse’s background includes teaching middle and high school ecology and geology, as well as high school English and philosophy.

They originally planned the film around the stories of three teachers: Amy Lake; an education professor at Alverno College in Wisconsin; and a high school science teacher in Santa Ana, Calif.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Parsons said that over the three-plus years of shooting and editing, the filmmakers decided to make Lake the “hero,” and to use the material gathered from five additional other educators to complement the story.

In April 2012, The Lakeville Journal was on hand at LHK as the film crew shot footage of Lake and her seventh-grade students discussing the school’s upcoming Colonial Fair.

Parsons said a group of students who were in the eighth grade at LHK in 2012 and who are now college freshmen will attend the screening — which is why the Thanksgiving weekend was picked.

The film is 92 minutes long and will be followed by a discussion.

For a preview, go to www.vimeo.com/186097363.

 

— Patrick L. Sullivan

Latest News

GNH blanks St. Paul 34-0 in Turkey Bowl

Wes Allyn breaks away from the St. Paul defense for a reception touchdown Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Photo by Riley Klein

BRISTOL — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team ended the season with a 34-0 shutout victory over St. Paul Catholic High School Wednesday, Nov. 26.

It was GNH’s fourth consecutive Turkey Bowl win against St. Paul and the final game for 19 GNH seniors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Students curate Katro Storm portraits at HVRHS

“Once Upon a Time in America” features ten portraits by artist Katro Storm.

Natalia Zukerman

The Kearcher-Monsell Gallery at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village is once again host to a wonderful student-curated exhibition. “Once Upon a Time in America,” ten portraits by New Haven artist Katro Storm, opened on Nov. 20 and will run through the end of the year.

“This is our first show of the year,” said senior student Alex Wilbur, the current head intern who oversees the student-run gallery. “I inherited the position last year from Elinor Wolgemuth. It’s been really amazing to take charge and see this through.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Mini horses, big impact: animal learning center opens in Sheffield

Le Petit Ranch offers animal-assisted therapy and learning programs for children and seniors in Sheffield.

Marjorie Borreda

Le Petit Ranch, a nonprofit offering animal-assisted therapy and learning programs, opened in April at 147 Bears Den Road in Sheffield. Founded by Marjorie Borreda, the center provides programs for children, families and seniors using miniature horses, rescued greyhounds, guinea pigs and chickens.

Borreda, who moved to Sheffield with her husband, Mitch Moulton, and their two children to be closer to his family, has transformed her longtime love of animals into her career. She completed certifications in animal-assisted therapy and coaching in 2023, along with coursework in psychiatry, psychology, literacy and veterinary skills.

Keep ReadingShow less