Laura grew up in Cali, Colombia. When she was 17 years old, she moved to the United States with her parents and younger siblings in search of better educational opportunities. Her experiences navigating the American education system with her parents and siblings guide and center her work. She believes caregivers and teachers should have access to optimal resources to help all children succeed in their educational journey. Laura studied economics at the University of Florida. In 2006, while on a service trip to Colombia, she discovered her love for teaching and working with children. In 2007, she joined Teach For America and became an elementary school teacher. Laura holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. Laura left the classroom in 2015 to be with her family. Still, her passion for learning about best practices in education continues to be integral to who she is as the mother of two young children and a volunteer in the community. Laura’s children are Croft students, and she is very excited to return to the classroom and expand her relationship with this fantastic community. In her personal time, Laura enjoys being outdoors with family, trying new recipes, reading, and dancing.
