Park Hill kindergarten teacher says love of school, relationships drive learning

Laura Mock, a kindergarten teacher at Hopewell Elementary School in Park Hill, told the meeting transcript she has taught for 19 years, including 16 years in Park Hill, and that "kids have to love coming to school first."

Mock described a lifelong commitment to teaching that began in childhood: lining up dolls to teach, collecting discarded teacher papers to practice lessons and later receiving extra materials from teachers. "I remember going through the trash cans and finding all of the extra papers that my teachers would throw away and take them home and then I could actually really teach my dolls," she said.

Mock said she greets students at the classroom door each morning and gives them a hug when they leave, adding, "I can't wait to see them tomorrow." She told the transcript audience that building relationships is the "biggest influence" she can have on children and stressed adapting instruction to meet individual needs: "I've taught for 19 years, but I've never taught the same way for 19 years... It's making sure you're meeting the kids where they need to be met."

Two students who spoke in the recorded excerpts praised their classroom teachers. One student said, "She always smiles and she helps us learn," and described lessons in math and writing. Another student made brief comments about spelling in class.

Mock noted she began her teaching career at Line Creek Elementary before moving to Hopewell and emphasized that kindergarten is the place where children begin their school experience. "I've always said kids have to love coming to school first. They'll always learn," she said.

The remarks appeared in the public-comment portion of the meeting transcript and consisted of personal testimony and classroom practices rather than any proposed policy or formal board action.