Ms. O's Community Classroom, The Kids Are Alright with Lauryn Obozian

I first met Lauryn 11 years ago when she moved back to Philly with her partner Ben. Ben and I were co-workers and office mates in grad school, but you’ll hear more from Ben later on this season, as he is also a guest for Season 2.

I wanted to bring Lauryn on the show because she is an elementary school teacher, mother, performer, bartender and just all around badass. Every single aspect of her livelihood was impacted by the pandemic, and I really appreciated getting to learn more about her experiences.

Even though I saw Lauryn quite regularly during lockdown, well virtually that is, since she and Ben were on our weekly virtual quizzo team, this interview was the first time I learned of her distinguished award and the work that helped her earn it. She created a brave space for her students and gave them a creative outlet to express their thoughts and emotions. She goes into detail about the positive impact of this “classroom community”. I wish that this form of group therapy was set up in classrooms and workplaces everywhere!

Topics Include:

📚 Challenges and Lack of Boundaries when Teaching went Virtual

🎤 Music as her Passion & Creative Outlet

🍸 Service Bartender or Talk to People Bartender - Can’t do both at the same time

📚  Creating a Brave Space for her Students

🎤 Her Past and Upcoming Performances

🍸 Nominated for “Star Chefs” for her “Nine Rides Shotgun” cocktail because they all were named after Brand New songs

I checked in with Lauryn this week to see how her semester was going, since we recorded right before she was going back to the classroom. 

She said “The semester is going great right now, despite the fact that I'm May(end of school year)tired in October (beginning). My students are amazing and I just had friends and family donate like 200 books to my classroom library! My other library was basically destroyed by mold and mice during the pandemic school closure. Feel free to share my Amazon wishlist for my  classroom ”

Thanks for listening, and enjoy the following episode, Ms. O’s Community Classroom, The Kids Are Alright with Lauryn Obozian.

About Lauryn:

Lauryn Obozian (she/her) was born and raised in northeast Philly. She’s been working since she was 10 and has had a gazillion jobs since then. Lauryn went to school for musical theatre in Pittsburgh where she met her partner, Ben. She has performed in many musicals and plays, and has worked as a professional singer for many years. She has worked as a bartender for a million years in both Pittsburgh and Philly and has several published cocktails. She and Ben now have a “threenager” named Violet who likes to unravel entire rolls of toilet paper and twerk. “Black Lives Matter. Get vaccinated. Don't ride your bike on the sidewalk.”

Connect with Lauryn on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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