Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Leto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I started my teaching career in Hillsborough County in 2011. I taught psychology one, psychology too, AP psychology, law studies, legal systems, and US government. I started my career at Sickles HS in Tampa. I coached Softball and I coached two seasons of varsity swim where I was chosen as all American conference coach of the year.
Once I had my daughter, I transferred closer to home and began my career at Strawberry crest. I still taught social studies and I was the national honor Society sponsor for about six years. In 2021, I was voted by my peers as teacher of the year. In 2022, I started this new journey as a community school resource coordinator for Brandon high school. I am in year one of this new job at where I am providing services to students, parents, and faculty. I am in the process of launching a food pantry, a clothing closet, and a place where students and staff can obtain anything they may need to help on campus and at home.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always been an advocate for public education. I’m a product of the school district that I teach in. I have two children of my own that attend school in the district that I teach in. I am in the business of helping kids reach their full potential. However so many of our students carry baggage that is heavy and prevents them from truly focusing and learning at school. It is my job to make things more equitable for them so they can just focus on making good grades and having support. That support might be mental, physical, emotional, or in the form of tangible items for them and their families

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For so many years I have poured into my students. My kids knew that I always had snacks, Band-Aids, feminine hygiene products, and if they needed some thing I would do my best to get it for them. Now I’m basically operating a community program with in a school to provide services to the entire building. I was able to give teachers supplies for the classroom, custodians backpacks filled with supplies for their own kids at home, homecoming dresses to girls who cannot afford it, and morale booster‘s for my teachers. I am a helper. I get to reach so many more people with this new position

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Take the risk. Feel confident taking the risk. Ask the hard questions. The worst thing someone can say is no.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/domain/5059
• Instagram: @mending_minds_365
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-leto-406708243
• Twitter: @leto_lauren
• Other: https://www.nea.org/student-success/great-public-schools/community-schools#:~:text=Community%20Schools%20are%20public%20schools,children%20best—all%20working%20together. https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2022/07/brandon-high-school-will-become-a-community-school-this-fall/

Image Credits
Alejandro from CenterPlace painted my space. Donated his talent and time. Shake Washington- school board member Siomara Bridges- frameworks of Tampa bay