Laura Bean
Bio: Laura Bean is Mentor Teacher in Residence with Rural Thrive: The Rural Educator Resilience Project. An experienced educator and mentor with a passion for student success and school improvement, Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching social studies, developing curriculum, and supporting educators through mentorship and leadership roles.
Laura has worked as an educator in rural, urban and suburban schools, gaining a broad perspective on student needs and school dynamics. She has designed interdisciplinary curricula that connect historical study to contemporary issues, developed alternative courses to support students with increased literacy needs, and helped lead school-wide improvement projects focused on classroom management, technology use and student engagement. In addition to teaching, she has mentored new educators, advised students, coached swimming, and served on faculty committees dedicated to professional development and school policy.
She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Global Studies from Emmanuel College. She is committed to fostering critical thinking, civic engagement, and inclusive learning environments.