Hello!  

I am Laura Smith also known as Teacher Laura!  I have never felt like teaching was a job.  Instead teaching has always felt like a passion to me!  I love working with children of all ages!  As I begin the 2022-2023 school year I will also be diving into my tenth year of teaching.  I have had the opportunity to teach all subject areas in grades 3-5 during this time.  My favorite subject to teach is English Language Arts.  I love combining reading and writing in the content areas so that students can learn to read and write like historians and scientists.  I am also currently involved in the Kentucky Reading Project where we are learning to incorporate Jennifer Serravallo's reading strategies in our reading instruction to help improve reading, writing, fluency, and more!  

I currently hold a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, a Masters Degree in Literacy Specialist, and my TESOL certificate for teaching ESL.  Through these certificates and 9 years of teaching experience I have learned that students first have to know that you care before they care what you know.  My favorite part of teaching has been building lasting relationships with students and seeing them succeed.  I love making learning fun and interactive.  Most of all I love the subject of reading because I love sharing literature with children that they can relate to and that can teach them life lessons.  

Aside from teaching I enjoy being a mother to my five year old son Scheyer.  We love to go on "adventures" as Scheyer calls them!  He has helped me learn how to enjoy life more than I ever thought possible.  When I do find time for myself I enjoy exercising and playing sports.  Growing up playing basketball was my favorite sport.  I played all through high school and college and have enjoyed sharing my love for the game with my students!