- November 18, 2024
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Laura Hoskin always knew she wanted to be a teacher.
When she was a little girl, she would gather the neighborhood kids to be her "students" and she would play pretend in front of a blackboard. Hoskin said her teachers influenced her greatly, especially those she had in elementary and high school whom she kept in contact with over the years.
“My one elementary school teacher, who I had in fifth grade and sixth grade, just had a great relationship with the kids,” Hoskin said.
She said that teacher always wanted her students to do well. Hoskin has been teaching for over 30 years now, 17 of which she's spent in Pine Trails Elementary where she currently co-teaches kindergarten and first grade math and science. Her classroom is bordered by laptops — she has one for each one of her students, plus extras.
Hoskin owns all the laptops. She has been able to purchase them thanks to donations from people who know how she puts the technology to use in her classroom.
“There are so many resources out there on the computer, on the web, that I think it’s important that they’re exposed and they learn how to create," Hoskin said. "It’s very engaging — totally engaging, if you choose the right tools to engage.”
Hoskin has been nominated for Teacher of the Year at least twice, she said, but she has turned it down in the past because she dislikes the limelight.
“I just like to do my job and do it well," Hoskin said.
Her job is something she looks forward to every day. She loves coming in and seeing her fellow teachers, as well as her students, who she said always have stories to tell her when they come into the classroom.
“I get up at the crack of dawn just like, ready to go," Hoskin said. "I’m always excited to come to work.”