What people are saying.

  • "Our middle school admin team hired Laurie to consult with our 6th grade team to develop a new course shifting from 47 min stand alone Reading and ELA classes to a block class model of English Language Arts 6. We could not have chosen a better person to support our teachers! Laurie is knowledgeable in best practices in ELA instruction to say the very least. But it is her consulting style that makes her stand out! She listens and asks questions. She recognizes the importance of creating a starting place and building on successes. She connects with those she is working with in an approachable and collaborative manner, building relationships that support growth!"

    — Mary Jane Adams, Assistant Principal, Sandburg Middle School

  • "Laurie has the unique ability to meet teachers where they are at and help them to move their instructional practices. She embodies the “coach” philosophy, providing explicit guidance, modeling strategies, and co-teaching to ensure that teachers are able to implement practices. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her coach a new teacher from struggling with curriculum, instructional strategies, and classroom management, to being confident and prepared to meet the varying needs of learners. Laurie is active in reaching out to teachers, no matter their level of receptiveness to coaching. She focuses on relationships first, developing trust with teachers and administrators alike."

    — Dr. Meghan Hickey, Director of Student Services, Robbinsdale Area Schools

  • "Laurie has the ability to build relationships with students, parents, and staff to support a variety of needs. Building administration will seek her out for help to provide guidance and direction to teachers, create intervention, and decipher data to make schedule and placement decisions. Laurie has high expectations for students and staff alike and is willing to engage in difficult conversations to find solutions that will best serve students. She is cognizant of the balance that needs to be found between productivity and relationships in the workplace to meet student needs. Teachers and building leaders rely on her expertise to guide them as they strive to provide students with culturally relevant and literacy- based learning experiences. I have seen her in action working with students, parents, and colleagues and she is able to tackle stressful situations by keeping conversations focused on achievement for all students. I attribute this to her communication skills; she is able to seek understanding without judgment."

    — Janell Leisen, Assistant Principal, Maple Grove Senior High School