Mrs. Doiron (pronounced "door-N") grew up on a farm in Minnesota, with four siblings. Her parents and two sisters live in Minnesota, while her two brothers live in Delaware and Kentucky. She laughs that her older brothers helped her Dad with farm chores, and her big sister helped Mom in the house, while she and her little sister played. Mrs. Doiron wanted to be a kindergarten teacher by about fifth grade. Do you think all that playing helped her decide to work with young children? She came south for college and graduated from Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas, where she met Mr. Doiron. They have been married for 34 years and have two children. Leslie (31) is a graduate of Stanton College Preparatory School, and Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, and works in the Production Department of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She recently won her first Emmy Award for her work in Electronic Field Trips! Laura (28) graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and the University of North Florida. Laura and her husband live in Jacksonville. Mr. Doiron is a Surgical Technologist at Shands Hospital. The Doirons live in the Arlington area, so don't be surprised if you see them at a local store or restaurant.
Mrs. Doiron has been teaching for 34 years, with most of those years in kindergarten. She taught for 9 years in Texas, then moved to Jacksonville, where she taught at Biltmore Elementary School for 15 years. She came to Merrill Road Elementary School in 2002, and is certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, or "National Board Certified". Mrs. Doiron is a member of Pi Lambda Theta (International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education) and Professional Educators Network of Florida. She was Merrill Road Elementary School's Teacher of the Year in 2010-2011. During the course of her career, Mrs. Doiron has enjoyed having many college students complete their pre-internships and internships in her classroom, and has served as a mentor for many beginning teachers. She LOVES her career as a kindergarten teacher, and is excited about learning new aspects of technology, including the Smart Board in the classroom!
Mrs. Doiron enjoys reading, camping, hiking, knitting, and making music. She is involved in outreach minstries at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, especially "Family Promise", an Interfaith Hospitality Network which works with homeless families here in Jacksonville. Mrs. Doiron sings in the church choir, as well. She works hard to eat in a healthy manner, and tries to avoid snacks and sweets. You may see her walking in the neighborhood during her lunch time at school. Mrs. Doiron attends yoga class twice a week, and sometimes teaches yoga positions to her students!
