Lively Lauchlin Loeffler joins Math Department

In the early hours of a Monday morning, across a desolate quad, lies the promise of a fresh start. Through a crack in the door of Room 404, Algebra 2 and Trigonometry/Precalculus Honors teacher Lauchlin Loeffler's cheerful smile welcomes students back from their summer break. 

Loeffler comes to the school from beyond the familiar confines of Saratoga, but not from too far. She grew up about an hour North of here, in the quiet suburbs of Walnut Creek.

Not long ago, Loeffler was a student at Walnut Creek High School. 

“I actually really liked school,” she said, “but at the time, I thought I didn’t. That’s really interesting, since I’m now a math teacher.”

Loeffler admits that it was not her high school teachers who influenced her to become one herself. 

“Looking back, I wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I love that teacher. I want to be just like him or her,’” Loeffler said. “That wasn’t how the cards played out.” 

Loeffler’s decision to become a teacher was instead impacted by a trip she made to Philippines in 2001. She was visiting her grandmother, who was living with a caretaker. 

While Loeffler was in the Philippines, she noticed that public schools were non-existent, and many children could not afford to receive an education. 

“The kids [who could afford it] were really excited for school,” Loeffler said. 

Children often asked Loeffler and her family for financial help so that they would be able to go to school. Loeffler would give them money to buy school supplies. 

“[In the Philippines], I saw how much kids really wanted an education,” Loeffler said, “and I thought it was really cool that in our country, anyone can get an education.” 

She decided to become an educator to “hopefully inspire people to take advantage of that.” 

“I wanted people [in the U.S.] to realize how important it is to get a free education,” Loeffler said. “Fortunately, people in Saratoga already know how valuable it is.”

Soon after her travels to the Philippines, Loeffler received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State, majoring in math. She then went on to California State University, Chico to get her teaching credential. 

Loeffler’s mother, sister and brother-in-law are teachers. When she decided to become a teacher herself, she did so with the full support of family and friends. 

In addition to math, Loeffler also taught chemistry and computer science for one year each at her previous job in Princeton, Calif. 

“[Princeton] was similar to Saratoga in that everybody was responsible for themselves and their actions,” Loeffler said. But in other ways, “[Saratoga] is a whole different community.”  

Loeffler finds that not only are the students here very self-aware, but they are also incredibly motivated. 

While this is only her sixth year as an educator, Loeffler establishes rapport with students in a way that belies her relatively short experience. 

“Getting to know the students is very interesting, and I really enjoy it,” Loeffler said.

Sophomore Ankitha Sarvesh, who is in Loeffler’s Trigonometry/Precalculus Honors class, appreciates how invested Loeffler is as a teacher.

“She seems really dedicated and passionate [about math],” Sarvesh said.

Junior Guita Pardis, also in her Trigonometry/Precalculus Honors class, has a similar opinion of Loeffler. 

“[Loeffler] is really upbeat and always smiling,” Pardis said. “Saratoga is a great fit for her.”

Loeffler could not be happier with her new job. 

“[The school] is clean and beautiful, and I love how nice everybody is,” Loeffler said. 

Loeffler looks forward to a great year teaching at the school and learning more about Saratoga.  

“This seems like a town of innovators,” Loeffler said.