Tribute to Anne Lau
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Anne Lau, our beloved Crossover math specialist on Sunday, October 24, 2021.
Anne Lau was an academic mentor and much-appreciated part-time staff member of Crossover Mission for 5 years. During the school year, Anne worked as our daily math tutor helping individual students, and sometimes their volunteer mentors, to feel more confident about math.
A native of Michigan, Anne lived in Florida for many years. She retired from a career teaching high school math in Indian River County. She had been recognized as the Teacher of the Year at both Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie and at Sebastian River High School in Sebastian.
Anne became a teacher to be able to share her love of math. She thrived as a classroom teacher, finding ways to make math come alive. Anne would have students race boats to learn systems of equations or use parachute activities to understand ratios. For Anne, her students having fun while learning math was always her goal.
Anne loved Crossover Mission. She was inspired by the dedication of the staff, volunteers, and student players. Anne was always excited to see kids make progress in their classes and develop greater self-confidence.
One summer Anne helped two high school students complete Geometry through the Florida Virtual School. They worked together at the Crossover Center every weekday 6 hours every day to help them earn A’s for both semesters. Although the pace of an accelerated summer class was very challenging, Anne rose to the occasion. Her favorite moment was the pause when a question had been submitted online and she and the students waited for the results. The excitement of a correct answer could be heard by Anne throughout the center as she and the students celebrated together!
During COVID, Anne made herself generously available virtually to work with Crossover students. She worked double the normal hours at all hours of the day and night to help the kids succeed in math. This past summer, Anne participated in Crossover’s first SDIRC collaboration at Storm Grove Middle School — the STEM Mathlete Camp for incoming sixth graders through ninth graders. The program was designed to encourage a growth mindset, while both remediating and challenging students’ math skills. Anne was an integral staff member and responsible for much of the program’s success.
Crossover Mission will never be the same without Anne. We were fortunate and blessed to have Anne as part of our Crossover family! |
