Upon graduating from Central Washington University in 1981 with a degree in Special Education, Laurie embarked on her teaching career at Shelton High School, working with students with special needs on job-readiness skills. Laurie has taught high school special education students for 22 years, carrying the cause of preparing students for life beyond high school in her heart and actions. A cause which she is championing still today, teaching Work Based Learning and Career Choices @ Hanford High School to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She currently supervises 23 students on job experiences in the community, collaborating with visionary administrators, supportive colleagues, involved parents, and enlightened employers. Laurie has been a part of the synergy between Special Education and Career and Technical Education departments in the Richland School District.
She has served on several district committees, researching how to improve transition programming for secondary students with special needs. She has led a team through the QuIST (Quality Indicators for Secondary Transition) process. She was an adjunct professor at Central Washington University for 4 summers. Laurie has implemented work experience programs in 3 different states.
Laurie's classroom is brimming with transition focus – students researching careers, navigating bus schedules, hosting guest speakers, and practicing consumer awareness. Laurie has presented at WA-ACTE Conferences on "Work Based Learning and Special Ed.” She is presently serving on a state committee that plans an annual Transition Conference as well as serving on a CTE Board for her division – Career Counseling Employment Readiness. Laurie is Key Club co-Advisor to 271 "hearts for service" students, partnering with the Kiwanis Club, students volunteer their time and hearts to serve others in our community.
Laurie understands the effectiveness of connecting with her students – relationships matter. She empowers students, creates high expectations, believes in students' abilities, and incorporates humor to build a classroom culture when students can grow into their best selves and have fun doing it.
“Because of the high level of training and positive reinforcement that Mrs. Prices has given our daughter, she has had three very successful years of work-based learning jobs,” writes parent Bonnie Brown. “This has been so instrumental in her personal growth. It has shown her that she is capable of more than she thought. Mrs. Price’s belief in our daughter helped her believe in herself. She is now planning to go to college.”
