Allen County Career and Technical Center business teacher Laura Carter was recently selected as the Kentucky Business Education Association (KBEA) Outstanding Business Teacher-of-the-Year.
“I was very surprised,” Carter said. “It was an honor in itself just to be nominated. I have no clue who nominated me. The nomination tells me that I am doing something right and that someone sees what I’m trying to do in the classroom. I just love what I do. ”
Carter’s nomination was based on five criteria points. The nominee must show sincere concern for the academic well-being of students, foster a desire for learning in students, show personal interest in and rendering assistance to students, display enthusiasm for teaching and must have been a member of the KBEA for the past three years.
On learning of the nomination, Carter was asked to answer two questions which were considered in the final selection of the KBEA Teacher-of-the-Year. The first question was what makes you an outstanding business teacher?
“I go in every day trying to be the best teacher I can be for my kids,” Carter wrote in response. “I try to treat each one of them fairly and find out what they like and what they want to do and also find out how they are doing, not only at school but at home and work as well. I treat the kids in my classroom how I want my very own kids to be treated in their classrooms.”
Teaching business classes involves the use of computers and technology and allows Carter to teach by applying real-world principals---thus helping students become college and career ready.
“I try to make all the lessons fun and use real life projects and stories in each lesson,” Carter explained. . “The kids and I get to be hands-on each day with computers and technology. That makes teaching so much more interactive and inspiring.”
The second question was what do you enjoy most about teaching business?
“In the business classes, we get to be hands-on and use real world projects and applications each and every day,” Carter said. “You can make it so similar to being in the real world. I don’t have to lecture every day but the kids still learn. I love getting to be creative and getting the students to be creative and use their minds. When they ‘get it’ and the light bulb goes off, this is when I know I am doing something right. When the students are so proud to show me something they created and designed or come up with, I love it. It makes my heart melt and that is why I teach.”
Carter also noted in her response to the questions that she hopes her students can see her love for God through her teaching.
“My prayer to God each night is to use me to show his wonderful teachings through my love and guidance and patience to the students,” Carter explained. “Although I cannot necessary teach God’s word at school, somehow through my teaching and guidance and love, the students will understand my passion and where it comes from.”
Carter teaches Digital Literacy (formally called Computer Applications), Multimedia, Advanced Multimedia, and Web Page Design. Carter also oversees the Patriot Printing Press and is the Future Business Leaders of America sponsor. She and her husband Brian are the parents of two daughters, Taylor and Kennedy. Carter is beginning her 16th year in the classroom.