Cultured, zealous and well-educated, Lori Wilson-Patterson has taken part in numerous experiences reaching from her spirited and plentiful service projects to being a supporter in women's rights and the arts.
She grew up in Michiana Shores, an isolated community on the outskirts of Michigan City. Growing up, she attended a variety of schools ranging from Springfield Elementary to Long Beach and Joy Elementary School.
After elementary education, she attended Krueger Junior High School and later became an Elston Red Devil. The change in location was not necessarily negative, for she gained a great amount of friends from her constant movement through Michigan City schools.
She then moved on to bigger and better things at Marion College, which is currently known as Indiana Wesleyan University. There, she studied education for two years in hopes of becoming a teacher.
"Ever since I was in grade school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. All of the teachers had the best handwriting, so I practiced and practiced until it was just like theirs, and still to this day I get complimented on my handwriting," Patterson said.
After her time at Marion College was done, she went from working as a maid to working at a cookie factory.
In the meantime, Patterson met her husband in 1980 while working part-time at Sears and full- time Joy Federal Credit Union.
She then went on to Purdue University North Central, keeping busy with her studies, work and starting a family. In the midst of it all, Patterson began to settle down, for her and her husband, Ken, had a daughter together. At the same time, she also gained custody of her step-children.
After her sons went to college in the mid-90's, she went back to college at PNC and majored in liberal studies. She received her Associate's degree in supervision in December of 1998.
In May of 1999, she graduated with a degree in liberal studies with concentrations in English and supervision. In conjunction with graduating, she also worked at Whirlpool in the international shipping department.
Although she had already earned a college degree, she knew she wanted to educate herself even further. Her passion for teaching was still fiery and heavy, so she went on to explore opportunities at Walden University.
"I have this passion for working with adults that have reading disabilities, so a few years ago I began attending Walden University so I could further my education even more to help adults whose education fell through the cracks," Patterson said.
She is still working vigorously and is set to graduate from Walden University with a Master's degree in adult education in May 2015.
Patterson keeps busy by running Jobs for America's Graduates, also known as the JAG program, in Michigan City.
It is a program that works to encourage young people who might be at risk of dropping out or not finishing high school. Mentors such as Patterson work to assist students with their studies, making sure they are on the right track to graduation.
"We help them identify their career areas of interest, help them put together a resume, help them practice interview skills, and they are also able to start work experience," Patterson said.
Her goal is to have ten students involved in work experience this year.
She also works to aid students in the college application process by helping them research colleges of interest, helping them apply and making sure they have fulfilled the test requirements needed.
Patterson goes the extra mile by checking up with her past students regularly, making sure they are on the path to success.
During the day, Patterson works at A.K. Smith Area Career Center in Michigan City, which is another program used in local high schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn more about their career path through real world experiences.
The A.K. Smith program also allows students to gain dual credit through their classes. It offers courses such as Culinary Arts, Health Careers and Early Childhood.
Since she was a child, service work was always present in her life. She values the ability to help others and enjoys teaching both adolescents and adults by tutoring.
For the past five years, Patterson has also worked as a tutor at Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City. Her specialties include social sciences, English and history.
She was also a pre-college level reading and writing instructor at Ivy Tech for three and a half years, but had to cut her time short after she learned of her husband's illness.
This did not stop her constant passion for helping others, as she was also a volunteer tutor for about two years at Michigan City Public Library.
"I like seeing the light bulb go off for students who never understood the curriculum before. To see students I started off with graduating with their Associate's degree is a wonderful feeling," Patterson said.
Through her work as an educator, she has learned a lot about others, and also herself.
"I have noticed that I am approachable, but I also have the ability to be hard on my students. I care that what they are doing is right, and want them to succeed in the future," Patterson said.
In addition to her other tutoring responsibilities, she also used to work in conjunction with Children's International Summer Villages, a global community that believes that peace is possible through friendships, and the difference can be made by children.
Patterson and her family have been a host family to multiple students several times, and has had her children exposed to different cultures through the CISV program.
On top of being cultured, she is also a humanist concerned for human welfare and is devoted to humanity.
Over the years, times have changed. With that, Patterson's views on topics such as women's rights have only grown stronger and more abundant.
"After I got to be more of an adult, I was invited to go to a consciousness-raising group offered by the National Organization for Women. This later got me involved with women's rights. I have always been a champion of equal rights for everyone, no matter gender or color," Patterson said.
She is also an advocate for the arts and values the benefits of them in society today, whether they are educational or therapeutic.
Patterson is fascinated with theater, and once played the part of a maid in the famous play The House on the Cliff.
Although her acting debut went smoothly, she rather stick to her passion: producing. Patterson hopes to one day be able to get back into the world of theater.
With every job or organization she has been a part of, her husband, Ken, has been her biggest supporter.
"Ken has been so strong; to me, he is a hero. He has gone through so much but has been supportive through it all," Patterson said.
While her four children were growing up, she repeatedly told them to do what they love – not what they have to do. Patterson also looks up to them because they are doing what they love and following their dreams.
She has followed this statement, as well, and through her experiences, she has learned to be proud of who she is, no matter where she has been or where she is going.
"At each job, I've learned something new and have been able to take skills from one job and am able to transition them into another," Patterson said.
Patterson's future is promising, as she will continue to take her knowledge from each stage in her life and apply it to every new step that might come along the way.
Photo courtesy of Life Touch