Lauren Sawyer

Lauren has been in education for over 10 years. In the formal classroom, she has taught as a 3rd through 5th contained classroom teacher and specialized in 3rd through 7th-grade mathematics and science. Outside the formal classroom, Lauren wrote middle school science curriculum for Washington University in St Louis’ Institute for School Partnership, coached teachers in mathematics, and managed the education program for a city park.

Lauren’s perspectives on learning changed when she worked in St. Louis at Tower Grove Park as their Community Engagement Coordinator. As she partnered with schools in the surrounding neighborhoods, she began to wonder how to bring “untraditional” topics like environmental education, conservation, and land/resource management into the classroom. It was the design of diverse programs that focused on urban farming, watershed and stormwater management, and native plants and pollinators, which allowed Lauren to fully realize the impact that experiential- and project-based learning provides to learners. It is this shared philosophy at Bennett that brings Lauren so much joy as a teacher.