Laura Tew serves as a Senior Specialist on NIET’s Southeast team, partnering with schools and districts to strengthen teaching and leadership in ways that improve student outcomes. Her work has consistently focused on school transformation—helping students see themselves as capable learners, supporting educators in trusting their craft, and giving leaders the confidence and tools to lead well.

Laura brings decades of experience as a classroom teacher, TAP Master Teacher, and school leader. Her strengths-based coaching is grounded in clear expectations, close attention to student evidence, and collaborative problem-solving. In professional learning settings, she creates spaces where leaders, coaches, and teachers feel supported as they reflect on practice and strengthen instruction. She works alongside partners to apply NIET’s systems and structures in practical, thoughtful ways that lead to sustained improvement.

Laura also brings professional experience in mental wellness through work in corrections education, inpatient behavioral health, and recovery education. She applies this perspective to culture and climate work within NIET’s framework, with an emphasis on trust, growth, and shared responsibility for student success.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in divergent learning from Columbia College, and is a National Board Certified Generalist. She is proud to be a product of NIET herself, having experienced firsthand how research-based practices show up in real classrooms and contribute to ensuring every student has access to an excellent teacher.