Laura had a difficult childhood and as a teenager spent time in foster care. She wanted to make a difference for kids who were struggling, so she began her career in social work and criminal justice working with incarcerated youth. When Laura looked back on what had made the biggest positive impact on her, she realized it had been education. In 1997 she began working as a paraeducator and she’s been an educator ever since.
When Laura was hired as Kennewick High’s first ever graduation success coordinator in 2010, the district said they wanted the district to have a 90% extended graduation rate. Now, six years later, Kennewick High’s rate has increased from 76.6% to 91%. In the same timeframe free and reduced lunch enrollment at the school increased 12 percentage points to 70.5%. Laura deployed a case management approach and supported it with after school extended semester programs to help students keep or catch up on school work. Her programs targeting at-risk students have been so successful that her school has hired an additional success coordinator to work with underclassmen.
Laura’s determination and relational style are part of what makes her so effective. She is known for her ability to track down missing students, and alumni now bring younger siblings to her for mentorship. Laura is the ultimate collaborator – constantly adjusting her approach for feedback and individual student needs. She brings a broad understanding of all the pieces that play into success, and knows when to negotiate flexibility with a teacher and when to dole out some tough love.
“Laura is caring, dedicated, solutions-oriented, and has a great attitude and sense of humor,” says Assistant Principal Twila Wood. “After a particularly difficult day, she emailed me: ‘Go take a nice warm bath, put your feet up, and come back to do it again tomorrow!’ This encompasses the essence of her attitude: never give up.”
