Laurie Bottiger is bringing her dream of creating a middle school that balances both her nurture and rigor to life. Laurie is committed to providing a holistic, developmentally responsive program. Her belief in equal accessibility to excellent education is evidenced everyday through the academically challenging and meaningful learning experiences at Esperanza Academy. Laurie believes that each girl hosts an amalgamation of undiscovered talents. She is committed to each Esperanza Girl's potential. Laurie has 20 years of middle school teaching experience and has been a middle school administrator for eight years. She has a BS in Elementary Education, an MS Ed. in Early Childhood Education, and Ed Spec in Educational Administration and is a Doctoral Candidate in Middle Level Studies at the University of Kansas. Laurie has been the Educational Director for the Center for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE), is a national presenter for on topic of Middle Level Best Practices and writes a professional development column for the Middle School Journal. Laurie delights in the fact that she is able to create a school that honors the talents of young women in the great immigrant city of Lawrence, MA. She believes that it is important for her Esperanza Girls to become ambassadors of the city!!