Elementary Education student Laney Roe leaves her mark on Auburn’s College of Education

As she prepares to graduate in May, Laney Roe is confident that her time in Auburn’s College of Education has fully prepared her for the next chapter in life, both inside and outside of the classroom.

“I am genuinely thankful to be graduating from such a prestigious and supportive education program,” Roe said.  “I feel well-prepared to step into the classroom and incredibly grateful for the mentors and friendships I have gained. The College of Education is a place where students are truly seen and known, and I will carry that sense of belonging with me long after graduation.”

A native of Hoover, Alabama, Roe is majoring in Elementary Education and is passionate about caring for her future students as both learners and people.

“I have always felt called to be a somebody for someone,” Roe said. “I believe that the innermost desire of every human is to feel known, loved, and valued. Education gives me the opportunity to care for students not just academically, but personally.”

Roe said that field experiences in real classrooms cemented her desire to become a teacher and truly prepared her for the reality of teaching a wide variety of students. Through the Elementary Education program, she has worked with a variety of grade levels, including kindergarten, first grade and fifth grade.

“Each placement has taught me something different: patience, flexibility, and the importance of meeting students where they are,” Roe said. “Working with different teachers and age groups has helped me see that there is no single ‘right way’ to teach, but there is always a right way to care for students.”

Roe believes the support she has received from her professors and classmates has been a vital part of her time in the College of Education.

“Professors and advisors have taken the time to check on me, guide me, and remind me that who I am matters just as much as what I do,” she said.

She said she was especially grateful her program was grouped in cohorts, meaning groups of students follow the same course sequence and therefore end up taking all their classes together.

“Walking through this season alongside the same group of people has created deep friendships and a support system to lean on,” Roe said. “I am so grateful to be entering the teaching field with the knowledge that I am not doing it alone and know people experiencing the same thing all over the country.”

During her time at Auburn, Roe found many ways to get involved. She participated in hands-on service with O Grows, a community garden and farmer’s market directed by College of Education professor Sean Forbes, and helped design and teach lessons on Auburn’s history to fifth graders during a project at Pebble Hill. Roe was also involved with POWERFUL Teaching, a research initiative led by College of Education associate professor Jennie Baumann, which connects students in early childhood, elementary and special education programs with Auburn faculty or exemplary practicing teachers to learn about the science of reading.

Additionally, Roe was a College of Education student ambassador for three years—including one year in which she served as president—and worked closely with students with intellectual disabilities in the EAGLES Program as a WINGS Peer Mentor.

“These experiences have taught me how to listen well, act professionally, and truly care for people with different needs and abilities,” Roe said. “I know that these experiences will help me as a future educator.”

With Roe’s impressive resume, it’s no wonder that she was awarded Auburn University’s National Student Employment Award for Leadership in recognition of her work in the college’s Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs.

After nearly four years on the Plains, Roe has certainly left her mark on Auburn’s College of Education, but she believes that the college has left a mark on her, too.

“One of the most important things I have learned is how to advocate for myself,” she said. “The College of Education has helped me grow in confidence and professionalism and has strengthened my advocacy skills. I have learned when to choose myself and use my voice for the betterment of those around me. I know that this newfound strength will serve me well both inside and outside the classroom.”

After graduation in May, Roe hopes to teach middle school math in a Title I school and help students build their confidence in learning and in life, just as she was helped in the College of Education.

“The College of Education has always felt like a family,” Roe said. “Faculty and staff consistently care about students as people first, and I have always felt known, supported, and encouraged.”