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My name is Laura Nielson and I love teaching English Language Arts and Spanish here at Gateway. I love sharing my love of English and Spanish with students! I have a BA in English Education from BYU-Idaho and completed my student teaching at a high school in Mesa, Arizona. Prior to completing my degree, I served as a missionary in Chile for 16 months. As a missionary, I worked as a volunteer teaching English classes. I am passionate about languages and literature and have a teaching credential in English and Spanish. I love working with students as they explore the cultures of the world around them through the Spanish language or literature. Before I became a teacher, I worked in a call center answering phone calls in Spanish and I have also worked as a translator for a surrogacy company. I enjoy speaking Spanish at home with my husband who is Nicaraguan. We have a blended family of three beautiful children ages 16, 9, 7 and 10 months and a dog named Molly. 

I am so excited to share my love of the Spanish language and culture with the students! Learning the Spanish language and culture enriches the lives of students and expands students’ horizons. It is an honor to be part of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools here at Gateway. I am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community. It is amazing to see students who dedicate themselves to their education and watch them grow as a person. Education opens the door to personal growth and appreciation for different perspectives.