Special Education teacher Ms. Lori Peglow is retiring after 34 years of working in the Owatonna Public Schools District. She got her first job 34 years ago at the Owatonna Junior High and spent 11 years working there. Peglow moved locations to Lincoln Elementary School and continued working there for 10 years. She later switched schools to the high school level for the last 13 years of her career. 

Peglow did not really know what she wanted to become in the future during high school but decided to attend Morehead State University in Kentucky. Where she was able to learn that her passion is in special education. 

She loves working with small groups of kids. Peglow states, “I couldn’t really see myself doing anything else besides what I am doing.” Anyone who encounters her at work would see the love and passion she has for her job. 

For the last six years she has had the opportunity to co-teach with Mr. Steve Benson in Algebra II and has gotten to work with a variety of different students that way. However, her main role is to help students that have an IEP, meaning Individualized Education Program. She is able to make sure the student is progressing with their goals and makes sure they understand all the material that they are learning. 

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, she shared, “I a lot of times get to have kids for two or three years on my caseload so to see them in as ninth and 10th graders and then see them graduate. Knowing that I was part of their journey helping them get past barriers and helping them believe in themselves, become independent adults moving into the world.”

Peglow decided to retire to have the opportunity to spend more time with her mother-in-law, parents, and grandkids. She is also excited to take trips and just relax. Peglow looks forward to helping out her family in any way possible and building more memories with them.