Paper snowballs fly across the room as music plays and laughter fills the air. When the song stops, kindergarteners scramble to uncrumple their papers, sound out letters, and write CVC words. No one has the same paper. No one is singled out. Everyone is learning.
“It looks chaotic,” Laura Kirchofer says with a smile, “but it’s academic.”
For Laura, moments like this capture what matters most. Every student is engaged. Every learner can access the content. And joy is part of the process, not a break from it.
Laura is a kindergarten teacher at Birch Street Elementary in Kalkaska, where she has spent the last six years building classrooms rooted in safety, curiosity, and growth. Her path into teaching began early, shaped by her love for children and the educators who made school feel fun, welcoming, and meaningful.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids,” she says. “I wanted to give students the same excitement and sense of safety I felt in school.”
Learning to Teach Through Uncertainty
Laura’s journey into the classroom was exciting, humbling, and at times overwhelming. She completed her teacher preparation through Central Michigan University’s University Center in Traverse City, gaining experience as a substitute and long-term substitute before stepping into her own classroom.
In January 2020, she officially began her teaching career. Just one month later, schools shut down.
“Everything changed,” she says. “I had to learn how to make learning fun and meaningful through a screen.”
That early disruption forced Laura to adapt quickly and creatively. It also reinforced a lesson she carries with her today: what matters most isn’t rushing through content, but creating an environment where students feel safe enough to learn.
“If I could go back and give myself advice,” she says, “it would be to slow down. Hands-on experiences and a safe classroom matter more than just getting through the curriculum.”
Two Jobs, Every Day
At the start of each school year, Laura tells her students she has two jobs.
“First, to keep you safe and make you feel loved,” she says. “Second, to help you get to first grade.”
On hard days, that reminder grounds her. When behaviors feel heavy or lessons fall flat, it gives her permission to pause, adjust, and extend grace to herself and her students.
“They’re five,” she says. “If we need to play for a bit, we play. If a lesson isn’t working, we try again tomorrow.”
That mindset doesn’t lower expectations. It creates space for learning to happen.
“I want them to master standards,” Laura explains. “But more than that, I want them to feel safe, loved, and capable. That’s when academic and emotional growth really take off.”
Seeing Growth Click
Laura measures success in moments both big and small. Sometimes it’s the excitement on a student’s face when a concept finally clicks. Other times, it’s quieter.
Earlier this year, Laura had two students who struggled to identify the first sound in a word. Progress was slow. The work was hard.
During a routine progress-monitoring check, Laura refreshed her screen and saw growth.
“The kids didn’t know yet,” she says. “But I did.”
She jumped up, celebrated with them, and ran through the school sharing the news. When the students saw her excitement, they understood something important had changed.
“The smiles on their faces,” she says. “They realized they could do it.”
For Laura, those moments affirm why she stays.
The same care that shows up during everyday classroom moments extends into school traditions as well. Laura plays a leading role in organizing Birch Street Elementary’s kindergarten graduation, helping create a memorable celebration for students and families. From designing the program and collecting photos throughout the year to creating a farewell video, she works to ensure families leave with full hearts and a lasting reminder of how much their children have grown.
A Classroom Where Everyone Belongs
Laura works intentionally to create a classroom where every child feels seen and valued. She builds trust, sets clear expectations, and creates space for students to take risks.
“I tell them mistakes are learning,” she says.
Whether it’s adapting instruction, celebrating small wins, or designing lessons that allow every student to participate, Laura centers belonging as the foundation for growth. Colleagues say she is intentional about meeting students where they are, whether they are working below, at, or above grade level. Through engaging lessons, repetition, and consistency, she creates opportunities for every learner to grow.
“Laura is very upbeat, highly engaging, and supportive of every student’s needs,” says Student Success Advisor Taren Moses. “She makes learning fun and forms meaningful relationships with both students and families.”
“I want students to walk into my room and know they’re safe and loved,” Laura says. “Everything else builds from there.”
Growing Through Community
Being part of the TeachMichigan network has strengthened Laura’s confidence and leadership as an educator. As a 2024 Early Career Educator Fellow, she has connected with teachers beyond her district, reflected deeply on her practice, and pushed herself to grow.
“I’ve felt supported and valued,” she says. “TeachMichigan helped me step outside my comfort zone and grow—not just as a teacher, but as a person.”
She describes the network in one word: Brilliant.
Looking ahead, Laura is excited to continue learning alongside educators who strive for excellence and believe in the power of strong classrooms.
Why She Teaches
When Laura thinks about how she hopes to be remembered, the answer is simple.
“I want people to remember that I was welcoming,” she says. “That everyone who entered my room felt like they belonged.”
Her mission reflects that belief: to help students grow into compassionate, resilient, and smart humans.
As the school year came to a close, one moment stood above the rest.
“Kindergarten graduation is a memory I will carry with me,” Laura says. “The smile on their face as they walk across the stage to get their diploma makes my heart so full. It’s a beautiful way to end the school year because we get to celebrate all the success and growth students have shown.”
And while saying goodbye is never easy, Laura is already looking forward to welcoming a new classroom family in the fall.
“I love the start of the school year,” she says. “It’s full of firsts, developing a new classroom family, and a lot of organized chaos. I enjoy seeing students create new friendships and engage in new content.”
Whether learning happens through a paper snowball fight, a small-group lesson, or a moment of celebration on graduation day, Laura Kirchofer continues to show that when students feel safe, loved, and engaged, learning follows.
Laura Kirchofer
Laura Kirchofer is a kindergarten teacher at Birch Street Elementary in Kalkaska Public Schools and a 2024 TeachMichigan Early Career Educator Fellow. With six years in education, Laura is known for creating joyful, inclusive learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and excited to grow. She is recognized by colleagues for her ability to meet students where they are, make learning engaging, and build lasting relationships with students and families. She centers belonging, curiosity, and hands-on learning in her classroom and believes that meaningful relationships are the foundation of student success.
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