Laura Turnbow

I have 12 years of elementary school teaching experience. I have an ESOL endorsement and am certified K-6. I have taught each grade level from K-5. I have loved each grade level I teach. My last position was with first-grade cuties at a Title 1 school.

I have a very, out of the box, teaching style! I believe in teaching students at their level and moving them up using differentiated teaching instruction. I love doing as much hands-on, visual activities, partner, and small group activities as I can, while still prepping students for standardize testing. I feel that if I can teach students how to think on their own by the using all the strategies I teach them, then they can master any standardize test without me having to, "teach to a test." I incorporate Daily 5 into my classroom with lots of time for individual and small group work with students. I love to do experiments and make connections with student across the curriculum.

It is just an honor to teach my students each day! They teach me how to be a better teacher each day. Their cards, hugs, high fives, and compliments are my awards.

I am the first person on my mom's side of the family to complete a college degree. My granny had 13 children and she only had about a 5th grade education and worked in a cotton mill from childhood. My grandpa could not read or write and worked many jobs at paper mills and painting bridges, etc. My mom shared these stories to teach me that I could do things differently. My mom taught me from an early age the importance of reading, making choices for myself, and sticking with my education. It took me 6 years, but I worked and got through college and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2004. I try and teach all of my students the power of learning, and that they can change their circumstances and past no matter what they are dealt!

I am have been married for 19 years and have 1 lovable German shepherd. We have a 5-year-old son who will be going into kindergarten this upcoming school year.