Laura’s mission is to make reading and writing an open book for every child. Laura’s passion conveys the goal of our work as teachers: to ensure that each student can and will fuel his or her literacy with intention, confidence, and competence. An open book also means that students can deepen their connections to self and others. It is her hope that knowing how to read, write, and think critically gives all children the tools they need to take good care of themselves and be compassionate and contributing citizens of the world.
Laura brings over thirty years of teaching to her work as a teacher, educator, and literacy consultant. Her work in professional development began during the first years of her teaching career when she was asked to develop a readers’ and writers’ workshop lab classroom for The Public Education and Business Coalition and University of Denver. Laura’s demonstrations of literacy instruction and evaluation grew into staff development efforts devoted to helping struggling students succeed and integrating literacy instruction and content area learning.
From those early years, her career expanded to include diverse roles. Laura has served as a long-time elementary classroom teacher; middle school language arts teacher; elementary and middle school reading specialist; private tutor for children and adult learners; literacy curriculum coordinator; social studies curriculum coordinator; on-staff literacy coach; K-12 staff developer; and independent consultant. Additionally, she led numerous district level literacy and staff development efforts in the positions of K-12 Reading Coordinator, Literacy Coach, and Director of Staff Development for Cherry Creek Schools.
Laura studied for her undergraduate degrees in education and psychology at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and continued her studies at the University of Denver, earning a Masters Degree in Literacy Education. A voracious learner, she has deepened her education at Columbia University’s Teachers College; Harvard University; University of Colorado at Denver; The Western Australian Department of Education; as a member of IRA, NCTE, National Staff Development Council and the National Reading Conference; and in writing courses with Natalie Goldberg, Donald Murray, Georgia Heard, and Julia Cameron.
Laura’s most treasured mentors are her son, Tim, a communications and Spanish major at University of California, and her husband, Dave, a high school social studies teacher and coordinator at Cherry Creek High School. Over the years, the Benson family has shared their literacy-as-thinking and family literacy perspectives at many conferences, workshops, and parenting classes.
Wanting every child to dwell in open books with open hearts, Laura energizes her consulting work by remembering her heritage, ‘Echoing the sage words of my Cherokee grandmother, Laura Smith, “If you know something, share it. It is your duty to pass on your knowledge gifts…”
Video Introduction
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What Clients Say
“Laura was terrific. She very quickly honed in on what we needed and put out an expansive picture of how to get there. Her support after the session helped us lay out what we needed to do next. And she offered continued email support. Terrific all around.”
—Mickey Buhl, Glendale Elementary School
“Laura, you have my greatest appreciation for the work we’ve been able to accomplish this week (it really didn't seem like work). The Social Studies group was blessed to have you as our team leader and mentor.”
—Susan Voradakis, Secondary Social Studies Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD, TX
“Laura, I started out this week knowing almost nothing about the Power Standards and leave today feeling confident and excited about sharing what I learned with my colleagues in August. You have played an integral part in the process and you are terrific! Thank you and I look forward to working with you in the future.”
—Lorelei Clark, Teacher, Fort Bend ISD, TX
