Laura Byrd is our August Pathfinder of the month.  She has been teaching for over 20 years in Houston County and continues to enjoy working with adolescents.  “I come from a family of teachers,” says Laura. “And probably the most influential person in my decision [to become a teacher] was my mother, who was an elementary school principal.” Laura decided to combine two strong passions: science and working with young people.  
 
Years before she decided to teach, Laura graduated from Northside High School and completed degrees at the University of Georgia and Columbus State University.  She originally wanted to enter pre-med, but says teaching seemed to be what she was born to do. Laura is one of the original faculty members at Houston County High School in Warner Robins. “I was there when there was dirt parking lots at Houston County High,” she says. “And that was in 1992, so I’ve been teaching 21 years.”
 
The experience for Laura has been phenomenal. “…the experience gave me the opportunity to work with the regional, state, and the international science fair, because I was the gifted teacher for science, so it was great on a professional level,” she says. “Plus I get to teach the advanced placement chemistry and the honors chemistry, which means, I get to teach some phenomenal kids that are very, very talented.”  Laura also has two daughters, Kelsey, now 20, and Lauren, who is 23, who attended Houston County High School. Laura says it was a wonderful experience to teach at a school her daughters attended.  As a mother, she was able to witness first-hand what their high school experience was like.
 
Daughter Lauren was able to delve deeply into the science program and is preparing to graduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in molecular biology and biochemistry. She also currently works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I think a lot of that has to do with the exposure she had in the upper level classes at Houston County High School,” says Laura.  Daughter Kelsey is pursuing a degree in Agricultural communications at the University of Georgia.
 
Laura says the field of science has now become a vital part of life and changed the way she teaches within the classroom.  “If you don’t have some workable knowledge of science, you can’t make informed decisions anymore,” remarks Laura, who adds that over the years she has witnessed how using technology is crucial in teaching students. “Technology has changed the way information is presented to students,” she says.
Besides teaching, Laura volunteers at the Perry Animal Shelter. She fosters one to two litters of puppies at her home and works with the animals until they are ready to be adopted. On weekends, she will bring puppies that are ready to be adopted to Pet Smart. “I help to find them a home and it’s very, very rewarding,” says Laura. The Perry Animal Shelter is run by the City of Perry, who relies on volunteers to help foster the animals.
 
Community service and teaching her students about giving back is important to Laura. She is currently the sponsor of the National Honor Society, which includes students with the highest grade point averages at Houston County High School. Besides a high GPA, students are required to show “leadership abilities and community service activities,” explains Laura. “Our National Honor Society, usually, is involved with at least 8 community service projects throughout the year.” The group has adopted families at Christmas; raised money for a broken air conditioning unit; bought gasoline cards for families that drive to Atlanta for leukemia treatments and other medical ailments, along with other notable community projects.  
 
“In doing that club, we teach how important community service is,” says Laura. “These kids are learning how good it feels to help out in their community.”