About Mrs. Laura Aten
A native to Lincoln, I graduated from Lincoln East High School in 1998. I then went to Iowa City, Iowa to attend the University of Iowa. After five years of college, I graduated with my Bachelor's of Arts in English and Theatre Arts. I also earned my Iowa Teaching License in English, Speech, Communication and Theatre for grades 7-12. For a year I taught in Lisbon, Iowa. It was a small school in a predominately farming community about thirty minutes north of Iowa City. I taught English 9, Communications and a reading class.
In 2004, Lincoln Public Schools called and offered me a job I couldn't refuse. I then moved back to Lincoln to teach at Lincoln High School. I have taught English 10, Composition, American Literature, Reading Ideas, Oral Communication, and Competitive Forensics. My first year at the High I was the assistant speech and debate coach. I then became the head speech coach for the 2005 school year. Working with the speech team is often the highlight of my day, although I love teaching in general.
I am taking classes to get my Masters at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. I hope to finish the program in three years with a major in Education with an emphasis in Langauge, Literacy and Culture (reading) and a minor in Communication Studies. Juggling teaching, school and coaching has kept my schedule full, but I'm enjoying it all.
A year ago I got married to a wonderful man, Jonathan. During my free time I enjoy reading fiction, running, and playing with my two cats.
Some of my favorite books are:
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (favorite author)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett