Louis Lafrenier:
CLASS OF 1970
Northwestern High SchoolClass of 1970
Flint, MI
Michigan State University - EducationClass of 1978
East lansing, MI
Charles S. Mott Community CollegeClass of 1976
Flint, MI
Bryant Junior High SchoolClass of 1967
Flint, MI
Pierson Elementary SchoolClass of 1964
Flint, MI
Louis's Story
Life
Worked mostly at low-pay, long-hour, dead-end jobs and traveled for about four years while driving several chevy's into the junkyard. Finally figured out in 1974 that an education might help. I really enjoyed traveling through mostly the western part of the US and living on my own. Attended Flint Junior College which quickly became Genessee Community College and Mott Community College before I could finish in 1976. I moved to Lansing and graduated from Michigan State in 1979 with a degree in secondary education. Chasing the job market, I moved to Minnesota to teach/coach in 1979 and have lived there since. I was also married in 1979 and had four beautiful children (2 girls and then 2 boys) before divorcing in 1996. I have taught junior high social studies and English for more than 30 years now; I've coached volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis over a 17 year period, gave it up a few years back. Still officiate basketball in the winter rather than join a health club. In June of 2001 I remarried after 5 years as a single dad. My kids are spread around (daughters) ages 28 (New York), 25(married living in Italy),(sons) 22, and 18. Linda has a (married)daughter(24) who lives and works in the area and we've moved into a smaller place as all of the girls are on their own. With most summers open for recreation, I love to spend time outdoors, walking, canoeing, hiking and antique hunting being hobbies. I also spend enormous amounts of time in the garage building or destroying things. We try to get back to the Flint area once a year (July or August)to see relatives and a few old friends. I've only driven by the old house (Piper Ave) early in the morning when its safe, its one of the few left there. After my dad passed away 2/06, I don't see much need to drive more than the perimeter of Flint. I've really enjoyed the 20th and 25th reunions (couldn't make the 10th)and was disappointed to hear that the 30th went down the drain. Those of us that made the effort to reconnect in July of '02 and again for the 35th in 2005 enjoyed the company and closeness of a get together...Expand for more
. Hope that others will use classmates.com to stay in touch. Please feel free to contact me any time, I would enjoy reading your emails, and I always answer back.
LL
College
Attended Flint Community College beginning in 1974, they changed the name twice in the two years that I was there to Genessee CC and then CS Mott College after the old philantropist died. It was tough getting back into classwork after a four year hiatus and I really struggled especially with typing papers and reading for meaning in history and English classes. I enjoyed myself there and met several people some of whom I still have contact with after 30 years away. I transferred to Michigan State in the fall of 1976 and that also was a wake up call to action in terms of seriousness about classwork. Since I was paying my own way thru school, I was determined to not have to repeat any class for a higher grade. I chose to pursue a degree in education. MSU was a ball and I enjoyed being a part of the large school environment, older than most of the students and one of my professors I graduated in 1978 and pursued out of state teaching opportunities due to state-wide cuts in education. I applied to several districts around the Twin Cities and got a teaching job in Minnesota. I finished a Masters degree at the Univ of MN in 1986 and I felt it was easier to get than my undergrad work at MSU. I've taken classes at several of the colleges here since then, mostly for personal growth and $$ incentives on pay-day.
Workplace
Started 'working' for meaningful money in HS at Baskin Robbins, Chevy V8 during senior year (student co-op) and a series of low pay jobs that included Mac's, shoveling pig manure, pumping gas, driving a delivery van, installing electrical fixtures, Country Squire, pounding nails, grocery night stocking, all things that i think paved the way for me to become a successful teacher with experiences working with the public and all kinds of people. I've worked in three very different school districts and the school I'm currently in reminds me so much of Bryant Junior High.....I have truly loved my career.
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