Phone: (713) 942-1430

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

B.S. Management and Administration, LSU M.B.A Finance, LSU M.A. English w/Initial Teacher Licensure, Westfield State University TX ELAR 8-12 TX ELL

Ms. Laura B. Shepard

Hello! In this photo, I am in New Orleans last fall on a steamy, 98 degree day while on a walking tour given by a US History teacher of Native American descent in which she recasts the history of the settlement of this bustling port city on the Mississippi River to include not just the contributions of the French and the Spanish explorers, but the generally overlooked legacy of the 14 or so Indian tribes scattered in and around the city.  I chose this photo for my profile to emphasize that learning can occur anywhere, anytime, and that, as a lifelong learner myself, I can't overemphasize the empowering nature of opening your mind every day to learn something new!

I grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana and attended LSU where I received an M.B.A in Finance.  My education afforded me the opportunity to work in energy and international banking in Houston, London, and NYC over an 18 year span.  After leaving corporate banking to raise my children, our family moved from TX to the Berkshire Mountains of far western MA.  I decided to put my love of literature into earning a Masters in English along with my teaching creds at Westfield State University.  I taught 12th, 8th, and 10th grade English for 4 years in a small community before my husband and I returned to Houston.

Prior to joining the HAIS team in the fall of 2018, I taught in HISD at Lamar High and Middle College High School--Felix Fraga.  Now in my fourth year of HAIS, I am thrilled to be a dual credit adjunct professor of English 1301/1302, a facilitator of the Service Learning and Research Capstone through 11th grade Business English, and the proud sponsor of the Class of 2022!  Outside of my teaching practice, I am a rabid reader of recipes and a pretty good cook who loves hosting family and friends.  I also enjoy reading all kinds of texts, bingeing on Netflix occasionally, hiking whenever possible, taking long bike rides, and debating politics.

 

Here is the Course Syllabus for Business English:  Fall 2021 SLC Syllabus

Here is the Course Sylabus for English 3/ENGL 1301:  file:///C:/Users/lshepar1/Downloads/Composition_I_23576_ENGL_1301_DL1_2022%20(1).pdf

 I look forward to being a teacher, mentor, good listener, and positive vibe for our amazing HAIS students in the 2021-2022 school year!  Stop by room 102 and say hi!

ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING

  • BUSINESS ENGLISH:

    All weekly power points including lessons and resources are posted on the HUB in Resources.  Any other resources required outside of the weekly power point are available here as well.    Assignments are clearly identifiable with due dates for submission.

    Note:  Students of Business English are working in Service Learning Capstone groups as of 9.20.  In addition to accessing lessons, resources, and assignments on the HUB, any student learning asynchronously should be in regular contact with his or her SLC group for weekly Literature Circle role assignments and other responsibilities related to the group's fulfillment of the SLC project requirements.  

    English 3/ENGL 1301:

    Students should access course content and assignments in the weekly modules for the course in Canvas.