Inspired English: Raising Test Scores and Writing Effectiveness Through Poetry and Fiction

Lorraine LaCroix is an Educational Consultant for the Long Beach Unified School District in Southern California. In this capacity she trains new teachers, coaches veteran educators and provides professional development geared toward improved instructional practices. During her 15-year career with the district, she has worked as a classroom and mentor teacher and has served in a number of leadership roles. She has also been active in writing curriculum fir the district’s vastly diverse population. Ms. LaCroix received the district’s Carpe Diem Award in 2000, naming her the outstanding middle school teacher of the year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s degree in Educational Management from the University of LaVerne, also in California.