ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —  This week’s A+ Teacher is preparing her students for high school and college.

Laura Manke teaches 8th grade honors English at Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. She’s been teaching there for nine years.

“I love what I do and I love my students so much,” Manke said. “It makes coming to work so easy and it just makes me feel connected to the classroom where I know I want to be.”

She is also the Director of Graduate Support. In that role, she helps prepare students for high school.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “It’s the best part of my job. And being an 8th grade teacher helps to really make those relationships and solidify those relationships and just continuing them on is so important.”

Manke helps her former students apply to high schools, help them get school supplies and visit with them. She supports them however she can, including helping them apply to college and get jobs.

“My first class at Academy Prep are now freshman in college and thinking about that just really makes me want to cry,” said Manke.

She was nominated to be featured as an A+ Teacher by a volunteer at the school. Manke started as an intern at the location in Tampa. 

Katharine Magrann reads to her class weekly and says she’s impressed by Miss Manke’s dedication to the student’s success.

“Ms. Manke is just this joyful presence in their life,” said Magrann.

Do you know an amazing educator? Nominate them to be our next A+ Teacher by filling out the form on the side of this page.