Lauren Stringer Recognized with Making a Difference Award

Lauren Stringer, the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Mill Valley High School, has been honored with the Making a Difference Award for April 2025. This accolade, sponsored by the USD 232 Education Foundation in partnership with Great American Bank, celebrates outstanding educators and staff within the district who demonstrate unwavering commitment to positively impacting the lives of their students.

Lauren’s extraordinary care and encouraging attitude fielded multiple award nominations from her students. Based on the feedback received, it is evident that Lauren is a faithful advocate for her students' inclusion and participation in general education activities. As one student noted in their nomination,

“Ms. Stringer goes above and beyond for every student. Her classroom is a safe space for every student. She always makes me feel loved and welcome. She cares about my well-being and checks in about grades and my life in and out of school. In her class, I've learned so much about different aspects of life and important topics."

Lauren provides both optimal support in the classroom and numerous opportunities for participation in student activities such as Mill Valley’s Jag Leadership Corps. She strives to make every moment a fun and positive learning experience for her high school students. It is for these many reasons and more that her impact is felt and celebrated.  

As another of her student nominations simply shared,

“Ms. Stringer is the type of teacher who makes students want to come to school every day. She always has our best interest in mind and pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves.”

Lauren joined USD 232 in January 2020 in her current role as the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Mill Valley High School. Lauren became a student leadership sponsor in 2024. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in December 2019 from Pittsburg State University.

Lauren Stringer truly exemplifies the spirit of the Making a Difference Award. Her compassionate approach and advocacy of her students make her a deserving recipient of this honor, and her contributions to the Mill Valley High School are deeply appreciated. In recognition of her exceptional dedication, Lauren received a $250 check from the USD 232 Education Foundation’s partnership with Great American Bank and a beautifully crafted award, designed by students at the CTEC CAPS program.