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Hi, I'm Laura Elizabeth!

I am a visual arts and ceramics teacher at Paul Duke STEM High School. I have been teaching for 7 years, my first three years were at Bay Creek Middle School. I have the best job in the world and truly feel like I am doing the work I was meant to do. I am so proud to be completing Teachers as Leaders and hope that you enjoy reading through my learning journey. I have included pictures below to thank those who have supported me on this journey, not pictured are my local school supports: my principal and teacher friends. But, I thank them and love them all the same.

My boyfriend, Jesse.

My Mom & Dad

My students

My Study Group

Mission Statements

Classroom Philosophy

All students have a creative soul inside of them and it is my responsibility to help them find that side of themselves. In my classroom I am devoted to nurturing and growing young artists. If they are anything like me, they might not always see that in themselves, but as their teacher I have made it my mission to show them how amazingly talented and creative they can be. My students are allowed to explore, try new things, and are encouraged to try again when they fail.

I believe that my students desire a deep connection with their teachers. They listen better, speak more and learn infintely more when they believe that they are loved and cared for. I take the time to deeply learn about each and every student in my class-- as much or as little as they care to share. And in return, I meet them with trust, a listening ear and a story or two about my own life.

Personal Philosophy

When I was a twelve my dad gave me a bracelet that quoted Shakespeare's Hamlet saying, "to thine own self be true." I think my parents were nervous about having a teenage daughter and what hormones might do to me, but my relationship with my parents was so strong, I believed that quote and never once have I questioned why I wouldn't want to be myself. I took my Dad's gift of a bracelet and tucked that quote deeply into every fiber of my being-- mostly because it came from him but also because I have always chosen to live life by my own rules, staying true to myself and true to the person I hope that I will become.

Leadership Philosophy

Being a great leader means having a vision for where you want your team to go, a mission that will get you there and core principals that guide each decision you make. My leadership philosophy is based in the idea that great leaders will inspire and motivate others to meet and exceed that mission and vision. I believe that all great leaders care about people and that through their leadership, those people too will become leaders.