"I enjoy working with the families to help the children learn and grow. I get lots of satisfaction from helping others. I keep in touch with many families and know that we have both touched each others lives."

Department

Special Education

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PBSPED)

Laura Phillips is a Preschool Special Education Teacher who currently works for the Hawaii DOE. She has been working in Hawaii since 2018. Laura has been working in the field of Special Education since 2001. She worked 17 years in the state of California. Laura worked 8 years in a Preschool Special Education Classroom with students with a variety of special needs for 7 years. She also taught the Preschool Special Education Autism Class for 5 years. Laura was an Early Start Special Education teacher for 5 years. An Early Start Special Education Teacher works with students and families birth-3 years on with delays or suspected delays in their homes to help coach families on interventions and strategies to help their child learn and grow. Laura received her Bachelors of Education Degree from University of Manoa with an emphasis in Elementary Education and Special Education. Laura has a Masters Degree from California State Los Angeles in Early Childhood Special Education (focusing on children birth-5 years old).

Message to Teacher Candidate

Welcome to my classroom! I am so excited to have you in my classroom this semester. Please ask lots of questions. I am happy to explain how and why we do the things we do. We learn by asking and doing. When you’re ready, jump right in and help out. The more you interact with the students and the staff, the richer your learning experience will be. I hope you will enjoy your time in our classroom and learn new things that will help you become a wonderful teacher.