Laura Collard, a third grade teacher at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, truly embodies the orange-and-blue spirit. She is an Auburn alumna who values both her education and the opportunities that Auburn offers its community.
Collard grew up in a military family and spent most of her childhood in San Diego. Her family moved to Montgomery, which brought her closer to her forever home: Auburn. She felt destined to be a teacher, always having loved helping and being around kids. Following this calling, she specialized in childhood education at Auburn University, where she met her husband, with whom she has two daughters.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you,” Collard tells her student. She is adamant about them being in the picture being taken for this article. Her appreciation for the kids is visible and her positive energy fills the room.
Collard is now in her 24th year of teaching. She left Auburn for Arizona to follow her husband for a job but very quickly realized she wanted to come back. She described how they moved back very quickly and that being in Auburn is “just meant to be.”
Inside the redbrick building of Wrights Mill Road, creative drawings and posters decorated by students line the walls and colorful carpets furnish the floors. Collard describes a family-like atmosphere amongst the faculty and talks about her profession with an appreciative attitude. Her colleagues’ feedback reflected that. “Laura loves her students as if they were her own,” said Amber Goolsby, Title One Teacher at Wrights Mill Road.
What Collard values the most about her job are the relationships she can build. Her students still express their gratitude years later and her reputation as an outstanding teacher even travels outside of Auburn. Her parents told her about meeting Collard’s former student’s mother in Montgomery, who said, “My son remembers Laura, she was his favorite teacher.”
Providing the kids a good education is just as important for the teacher as creating memories with them. Collard explained that her former student’s mom said her son remembers Collard mostly for doing cartwheels in the classroom.
It’s important to Collard that students appreciate the community they live in. A first grader once asked her what tailgating was, so Collard brought in tailgate food and told the students to wear Auburn gear, so the class could experience it firsthand.
She lit up when she talked about meeting former students in the community. Her long-standing history in Auburn enabled her to watch her former students grow up and witness new stages in their lives, even attended some of their weddings.
Wright Mill Road’s principal, Karen Mason, confirmed this and described Collard’s creation of “strong and positive relationships with parents and children.”
Every May, graduating students revisit their elementary schools for the EAGLE walk. They get to see their former teachers who made an impact on them.
Collard appreciates this opportunity a lot. “It gives you that little inkling of, I might have had something to do with that cap and gown.”
“She believes every child can and will succeed in her classroom,” said Mason, The growing diversity in her classroom presents a welcome challenge for Collard to provide fairness and positivity to students of all backgrounds.
Not only is Auburn as a city and a population changing, but so is Auburn University.
Collard holds that Auburn as an institution has provided support for its students, as she always felt a strong sense of community there. She recalls feeling included and supported during her time at the university, something she would love for her daughters to experience too.
Collard acknolowledges that her education at Auburn University was the foundation for the success in her job today. Being an Auburn alumni makes her feel pride and appreciation.
Teaching young members of the community and being a role model for interns are ways she hopes to honor her alma mater.
On game days, Collard can relive her time as a student and share the excitement with her daughters. Having grown up in California, the concept of tailgating was new to her. It was the buzz-feeling before a football game that she describes as her favorite memory as a student.
Today, she makes a habit of frequenting downtown with her family to take in the energy on gamedays and roll Toomer’s Corner.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the strong foundation of Auburn University. I truly hope that I’m a reflection of the University and the College of Education, as well as my school, Wrights Mill Road,” said Collard as she gets up at the end of the interview. Her students hug her and smile into the camera.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
