Lil Falk has impacted our community more than most citizens do in their lives. Falk has dedicated her whole life to make a positive impact on young children’s lives.
Falk has been a resident of Northwest Indiana her whole life. She is always backed up with her loving and supportive family. She is married to Scott Falk, they have two children, Ross and Lauren Falk.
“I went into teaching because I love learning and the process of learning, and I love kids,” Falk said.
She attended Ball State University in order to get her Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education. Later, she received her masters degree in Education from Purdue University. Falk began teaching first graders at Myers Elementary in 1984. She then moved to teaching first and second graders at Paul Saylor Elementary. Falk is currently teaching second graders at Crisman Elementary.
Falk’s day is not close to being done once the final bell for dismal rings. Besides holding the normal responsibilities as a teacher she sponsors Asset Building Club, Drama Club and Crisman’s Hoosier Garden. Throughout all of these activities she really can make a difference in our youth’s lives.
“The assets are things that kids need to have in order to be successful with life,” Falk said.
This year the Asset Building Club was formed at Crisman Elementary. Along with Falk the club is sponsored by Sarah Chepela, Deborah Jankowicz, Andrew Johnson and Matt Martinez. This club allows fourth and fifth grade students to organize different events to build their assets. Assets are positive qualities that a person should hold in order to be a good citizen. Some events that the Asset Building Club held are and Appreciation Celebration, Community Leaf Raking and participation in the Homecoming Parade. Falk hopes that more elementary schools will begin to develop clubs similar to the one at Crisman.
“Portage embraces its young people. We celebrate our young people. I think that as school system and community we value them,” Falk said.
After having a long week of school activities and teaching you would think Mrs. Falk would spend her weekends relaxing, right? Think again, Falk is a valued member of Portage First United Methodist Church. She is a member of the Ad Council, a Sunday school teacher, and she works with the youth in her church.
Falk has orchestrated many events through her church, one of those being Thirty Hour Famine.
“Thirty Hour Famine is another event that really impacts [the youth]. Talking about world hunger has really changed me and made me aware of hunger,” Falk said.
We can all say that we impact our community, but can you say it to the extent that Lil Falk does? She loves guiding her children in the right direction; Not to do all the work for them, but to give them a helping hand and guidance.
“I think that I am impacted everyday by the kids I work with. I have the very best job in the world because I work with the most outstanding people in the world and those are our young people,” she said.