Laurie Skop
Contact Info:
Email: lskop@hazlet.org
Phone: 732-264-8411 Please leave a phone number and a good time to receive a call back.
Welcome to my website!
The Answer to, "Why Did You Become
a Teacher?"
By Ms. Laurie Skop
B.A. English and Communication; Rutgers College, Rutgers University
M.A. Education; New Jersey City University
Administration Certification 2017
National Board Certified Teacher of English
Teacher of the Year for Raritan High School 2016-17
Writing has always been my passion. I started my career as an advertising copywriter, writing ads, brochures, radio spots, and some of the first commercial websites for major investment banks, food companies, and magazines.
While in advertising, I realized that making a difference for companies wasn't enough for me. I wanted to make a difference for people -- especially children. With a group of empowered volunteers, I created a non-profit self-esteem program for children that we ran in homeless shelters, called The S-TEAM.TM We started in one shelter in NYC and eventually expanded to five shelters, including a site in San Francisco. We were also featured on a PBS documentary about New York City's unsung heroes, called "Heart of the City." This is where I learned that Margaret Mead's famous quote was absolutely true, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Keeping a 9 - 5 job in advertising and working my non-profit organization proved to be a challenge. I made a full-time switch where I could serve children and bring home a paycheck. As the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCETM program coordinator for the state of New Jersey, I ran this unparalleled anti-bias program in schools across the state. I wrote curricula, trained consultants, set business contracts, facilitated programs, and publicized the initiative.
"When are you finally going to become a teacher?" a dear friend questioned. Apparently a new alternate route program to teaching had started through Brookdale Community College, and I was just in time to start with the first cohort. I was accepted, and as the old saying goes, the rest is history. In addition to my B.A. in English and Communication, I have also earned my M.A. in Education. I've now been teaching English since 2003 and can't have found a better fit for my strengths and my desire to make a difference for young people. Every day, I have the chance to help build students' skills and hopefully lead them to be the best they can be. I've made the switch to education and know this is the right place for me. I thank you for allowing me to serve your children.
If you would like to read The S-TEAM New York Times article, click here: