Sharing Her Passions
Laura Kerlek, 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies and 7th/8th grade Personal Finance teacher, inspires her students every day through her positive attitude and example of living a happy life.
“I have been teaching 23 years,” she says. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t always want to be a teacher ‘when I grew up.’ As a little girl, I would line up my dolls behind shoe box ‘desks’ that I had made and pretended they were in my classroom and I was their teacher. I really enjoy teaching middle school. I love my students’ energy, wit and creative thinking. There is never a dull moment in my classroom!”
“I am so happy to teach at The Christ School,” Laura continues. “I love being able to discuss not only my walk with God and faith but to help the students grow in theirs. My favorite part of my day is Homeroom. I like starting the day by just being able to talk and laugh with the students.”
Laura is also a mom of three sons. “I raised my sons in Naples, Florida and when my youngest son graduated from high school, I moved to Orlando to be near my sisters and mom to avoid the ‘empty nest,’” she says. “My sons are my world even though they are now grown. Two are currently finishing their degrees at the University of Florida and my oldest son lives in St. Petersburg. I like that they are all so close because I get to visit them often and they like to surprise visit me!”
One of Laura’s passions is running. “I am currently training for the Disney Fairy Tale Challenge in February. This will be my most challenging race to date. It is a 10K one day followed by a 1/2 marathon the next,” she says. She shares her passion with our students as one of The Christ School’s cross country coaches. “I absolutely love running!” she says. “I don’t run to win races, I run for my own personal goals and that is why I enjoy it. I just sort of fell into the cross country coach role. One day I suggested to a student that she try running. She decided to try it and the next thing I knew I was running with her at practice! The coach at the time asked if I would ‘help out’ with the girls and that’s how my coaching career started.”
Laura continues, “I really enjoy coaching because my sons are now grown and I was always extremely active going to their games, meets and practices. Coaching now brings back those memories I had following my sons in their sports.”
She also enjoys college football. “Go USF Bulls! They are currently ranked in the top 25,” Laura smiles. She also enjoys relaxing on the beach reading.
Laura shares her favorite Bible verse. “It reminds me to always keep God in my sight,” she says.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:24