My name is Jason Lipsitz. I teach 7th Grade Language Arts under the moniker of "Mr. L".
I was born and raised in the FAR West End of Henrico County, VA and to this day (despite the relocation) I remain a faithful Virginian.
I lived on the border of Goochland County and Henrico County, near Manakin-Sabot, VA.
I went to Godwin High School...
and swam for Nova of Virginia Aquatics.
After graduating from high school, I went to Virginia Commonwealth University...
...and lived in Richmond City's beautiful historic Fan District while attending VCU.
For my last college class, I attended the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy.
After returning to the United States, I took two weeks to go to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. This is where I used to vacation with my family during the summers.
Then I went to work for a Home Health Care Company, as their Joint Commission for Accredited Healthcare Organizations and Occupational Safety and Health Organization Coordinator. I learned how to build an electric wheelchair (and calibrate it so it could "pop wheelies"). Also, I learned - as I was instructing our drivers about safety codes and regulations - that I wanted to teach the subject I had studied in college: English.
I moved to Ft. Lauderdale once I made the decision to teach.
Since my parents had moved there one year prior, I moved in with them and started my first year of teaching at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic School, where I taught and coached for three years. My parents were a great influence in my life. From my Dad's discipline and "constant reminders" to my Mother's ability to always push me to do my best. She has been a teacher and a teacher's aid for almost 30 years, so helping people strive for success comes naturally to her. Also, I have a younger sister named Sara who is currently going to college. Without her I'd have no one to laugh with at family dinners.
I met my wife, Dawn, at OLQM. She was the office manager, clinic nurse, and principal's secretary there. She's also my greatest inspiration. It is because of her that I consider myself truly blessed. Three years later we were married (with a dog and a cat) and decided that Ft. Lauderdale may not be the best place to raise a family...especially with the cost of living, increasing population, and expensive housing down there. So, we looked all over Florida for a place that would be just right (by "just right" I mean "close to world class fishing", like the St. John's River and Rodman Reservoir) and we chose Clay County.
I accepted a position at LAJH after I met with Mr. Paulk. Shortly after that interview, my wife and I bought our home in Middleburg. We are both very happy to live and work in Clay County, but I do miss South Florida for a few reasons: my family, my fishing club, and Lake Okeechobee!
As of 8/22/09 we are a family of 6: Dawn, Abby (our daughter who is now two), Dawson (our Labrador Retriever), Dixie (our "Yorkie"), JD (our Persian rescue cat), and Me.
(Note: Some pictures are not most recent.)
I am very proud and excited to be an LAJH Tiger. Thank you for reading about me, and I hope your year is filled with success, learning, and enjoyment. By the way, even though I went to VCU, I am still a HUGE Virginia Tech fan. Go Hokies!!
