Бывшая учительница из Денвера опубликовала первую детскую книгу о гекконе

Former elementary school teacher Lori Kaluza has experienced firsthand the power of a good picture book. Now, she’s the author of one herself. Kaluza, who moved to Louisville about two years ago to be closer to family, spent 16 years as a first grade teacher in the Denver Public Schools system before serving as a literacy coach, instructional specialist and English language learners teacher effectiveness coach. After retiring from the district, she became an adjunct faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, teaching education courses at the university’s Lowry campus in Denver. These days, Kaluza spends part of each week caring for her granddaughters in Louisville. “I am very thankful to be such a big part of their early years,” she told the Daily Camera. Retirement also gave Kaluza time to fulfill a longtime dream. Her debut picture book, “Frecko the Gecko,” was published in April. Kaluza talks about becoming an author, the inspiration behind “Frecko the Gecko,” and the enduring value of imaginative storytelling: What inspired you to write a picture book? I was a first grade teacher for 16 years in Denver and would read to my students every day. I would take note of the books that became favorites and requested over and over. I wanted to be able to write a book like those. Frecko inspired me to write the story I always hoped to create. It is based on a true event — I had a Gecko come home with me in my suitcase from a trip to Mexico. I just knew I needed to tell that story. I knew how I wanted to use rhyme and a repeating line. Then I wanted my older son to do the illustrations. My dream came true of being an author with my son as illustrator. How did your career as a teacher shape your creativity and approach to writing for children? My philosophy of teaching centered on guiding the students to learn and grow based on interests and questions they would voice. I would create units of study based on topics that they wanted to learn more about. Together we would delve into math, reading, writing, science and art connected to those topics. We always had writers’ workshops and learned how to study the books we read and learn from those authors so we could create books of our own. I learned along with my students. What do you hope children — and the adults reading with them — take away from your book, “Frecko the Gecko”? Today screens are everywhere. The interaction between a parent and child as they read and talk about a book is so valuable. The child and parent share thoughts and questions, and it becomes a treasured time. I hope the children learn that they can dream and explore and be bold even if it is unfamiliar and a bit out of their comfort zone. I hope the parents encourage their exploration and dreams. What role do you hope imaginative stories can play in today’s world? As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” The future is beyond our imagination. We need to think creatively if we are to become a world where everyone is valued. What has surprised you most about your journey from teacher to published author? I never enjoyed writing when growing up. I was not taught how to write. I would get the red pen corrections and comments and never felt good about my writing. When I began teaching writers’ workshops and learning writing craft, and how to teach that craft to my students, I began to believe I too could be a writer. It took me several years to compose the text of Frecko just the way I envisioned and once I had my plan and design in mind, I just kept at it. Now Frecko is alive.