Staff

Lauri  Conner

Background History: BA English Literature/M.F.A Creative Writing   

Name: Lauri Conner - "Conner"

Position: English Teacher

Thoughts On Upward Bound

 

What is it like being around high school students vs. college students?

I can be more loose around high school students because they are at levels where some of the ideas that are coming at them are new, and in that they leave room to add rigor.  With college students the rigor is immediate and lines are drawn quickly.

How did you get involved in Upward Bound and why?

I began working with UB at South Campus teaching journalism 3 years ago.  A co-worker gave them my name and the rest is history.  I wanted students to receive what I didn't:  someone who was going to be straight with them about college, expectations etc.

What is your fondest memory in Upward Bound so far?

Clowning my students to support a concept they are studying.

How do you motivate yourself at work?

Go into it knowing that no one else is going to do it for me.

Besides working for UB, what are some of your hobbies?

UB is not a hobby it is a job and as a job it can reflect some of my hobbies. I read. I write. I read. I write. I play with my doggies.

If you were an Upward Bound student, how helpful would it have been for your college career?

So important! I wish I had found a program like this. I would have been prepared for what I really ran into.