You are about to meet a woman named Laura, but that is not how I know her. To me, she is Professoressa Laura. I met her on the first day of classes last fall semester, when I signed up and attended her Beginner Italian (ITA 111) course. I was slightly nervous. I knew some Italian since I had family members that spoke the language, but I thought my skills were not very strong. I was afraid she would be a hard professor, like my language teacher in high school. I was completely wrong. Professoressa Laura is one of the sweetest professors that I have had at Illinois State, so far. She is compassionate and she makes me feel like I have a second mother down here at school. I loved her so much as a professor that I made sure I ended up in the second portion of Beginner Italian (112) that she was teaching. Better yet, I built my schedule solely around her class, if that isn’t love, then I don’t know what love is. So, I hope you enjoy learning about Laura as much as I did.
Name: Laura Edwards
Degree(s): B.A., French; M.A., French Literature & Culture; PhD. in progress, Educational Administration and Foundations (focus on second language acquisition in study abroad)
Hometown: Champaign, Illinois
Role Model: I don’t really have one. My Italian parents-in-law were unable to go to school past the fifth grade. They grew up before and during the second World War, so survival was more critical than attending school. They worked harder than anyone I’ve ever met, day and night, in several different jobs, and saved their money to buy a house with cash. They learned to build their own house and live off of the land, something that few of us would feel confident doing. They also raised two loving and good children. I have learned a lot about what a good quality life means from them. Other role models are my friends here at ISU – several women in particular – who are smart as a whip and professionally accomplished. They are also very kind and giving, stand up for what is right and fair, point out what is unjust, and show love to everyone anyway.
Favorite Quote: “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
Advice to Students: See my favorite quote (above)
Hobbies: Running, travel, spending time with family and friends, gardening, listening to music, watching a variety of movies, and keeping up on world events.
Her Campus: How long have you been teaching?
Laura Edwards: Around 20 years
HC: What made you come to ISU?
LE: I always thought that I would live in Europe, but somehow I settled in the town where I moved in high school.
HC: How long have you lived here in Bloomington Normal?
LE: Since I started high school
HC: What courses do you teach here at ISU?
LE: Beginning Italian (ITA 111-112), Intermediate French (FRE 115-116), and Careers in Foreign Languages (LAN 292).
HC: What made you want to become a professor?
LE: I did not think that I wanted to teach, but I knew that I loved foreign languages and was good at learning, speaking and writing them. Once I graduated, the teaching job was offered to me and I couldn’t say no. Over the years, it has been very gratifying because I have connections with other people (my students) that can be very meaningful.
HC: What do you like most about teaching?
LE: Building and forming a connection with students and them with me.
HC: What countries have you been too?
LE: Great Britain, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Mexico, Canada, Spain, San Marino, and Croatia.
HC: Where else do you hope to travel?
LE: Morocco, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand, Peru, Colombia, Alaska, India, Canada (national parks and northern territories), the U.S. southwest and northwest.
HC: What is your favorite place you have traveled?
LE: The place that most influenced my lifestyle and mindset is the year that I spent living in Norway. Norwegians are very good and fair people.
(My roommate Julia, Professoressa Laura, & myself; Wearing our College of Language t-shirts!)
Laura is so amazing, she pushes us to work hard and knows that we can all do our best no matter what. She is an inspiration to me and I hope that I can speak as well as she can one day. As I continue my minor in Italian, I hope to keep in contact with her for the rest of my college career.
(My roommate Julia, Professoressa Laura, & Myself)