If a student is ever in need of academic help, has questions about the colleges to choose from, or anything of the sort, graduation coaches are a good source to receive help from.
Laura Neal is a graduation coach at Crown Point High School and has helped numerous students overcome academic challenges every day.
“The role of a graduation coach is to make sure that students are getting their credits towards graduation, and if they’re having trouble in their courses, and those credits are in jeopardy, we work with them,” Neal said. “Sometimes it’s a matter of organization or just helping them keep on top of their work a little better. Sometimes it’s setting them up with academic assistance, such as in our skills labs that we have.”
Before Neal became a Graduation Coach, she was an English teacher, only changing her role after becoming a stay-at-home mom for a few years and coming back having the passion to be a graduation coach.
“I started as an English teacher, that was my first job, and that was at the old high school, then I also worked at the first alternative school that the school corporation had. Then once I had my first child, I was home for about fifteen years, and I had three children,” Neal said. “When I came back, the grad coach position was open, and it was a role that I really liked, so I stepped into this role rather than a classroom.”
Once Neal got her foot in the door as a Graduation coach, she opened up her life to new daily routines and a different lifestyle within the job.
“On a daily basis, I usually see about ten kids, I would say, depending on the day. We just go through their school work, go through some strategies. I am also emailing teachers to see if there are things that need to be addressed with the kids,” Neal said.
Inside the school building, the staff are predominantly helping students, but outside of the building, every staff member has different experiences. For example, Neal spends her time with her family or doing hands-on activities.
“Two of my kids are grown and graduated, but I have one of my kids that actually goes to Crown Point High School, and she is busy, so that keeps me busy. I mostly spend time with my family, I love to travel, and I like to hike, I like to read, and I like to do yoga; pretty typical hobbies,” Neal said.
Overall, Neal is an open resource to students who need academic help or have any general question that need answering.
