Laura Silva’s journey to Unity Point’s Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent began after 17 years as a classroom teacher, primarily at Carbondale's District 95, where she taught in the two-way immersion program. The program paired English-speaking children with Spanish-speaking students, teaching them together 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. When the opportunity arose at Unity Point in 2021, Laura discovered a role that allowed her to remain in public education while bringing her extensive classroom experience to administrative work.

Starting simultaneously with Secretary Tammy Donoho created what Laura describes as "a jolt to the office," but the two newcomers quickly found their footing in Unity Point's collaborative culture.

Laura's bilingual skills, developed through her immersion program experience, prove invaluable in her current role. She regularly communicates with Spanish-speaking families, recently even fielding a call from Mexico from former Unity Point families – a testament to the lasting connections the school creates.

Her daily responsibilities begin with the morning essentials: phones, emails, texts, and in-person communications. As the keeper of daily attendance records, Laura tracks not just who's present, but ensures the data flows accurately to state reporting systems.

Laura's role truly expands in the afternoons, where she tackles one of the district's most complex logistical challenges: transportation. Working closely with the bus mechanic, she ensures route accuracy and manages the intricate dance of substitute drivers, athletic transportation, field trip logistics, and special event coverage. "I jokingly quit the transportation job every week, but I still have it," she says with a laugh, acknowledging the ongoing complexity of keeping over 600 students moving safely to and from school.

Monthly responsibilities include preparing enrollment reports and other documentation for board meetings, then following up on board decisions with communications, policy filings, and state submissions. The scope of her work becomes most apparent during summer months, when Laura describes their busiest season: exiting students who aren't returning while enrolling over 600 new and continuing students, complete with teacher assignments and bus route designations.

Perhaps most demanding are the comprehensive state audits that examine "hundreds and hundreds of line items" covering records, policies, and curriculum. Working through the Regional Office of Education, these audits require meticulous documentation and on-site verification, representing the intersection of local excellence and state accountability that Laura manages with quiet competence.

Having worked in multiple educational settings, Laura brings a unique perspective to Unity Point's evolving identity. She recognizes that the district is experiencing significant demographic changes, welcoming families seeking economical housing options and those transitioning from urban settings for various reasons post-COVID.

"I like that we're seeing more and more families here that have become part of our district  because of economic reasons or because of just various life circumstances," she explains. Laura sees Unity Point as "a safe place for a lot of people who maybe haven't found that somewhere else."

This perspective reflects Unity Point's whole-child philosophy, which Laura has witnessed firsthand. The school provides not just education but practical support – from ensuring students have food to maintaining a washer and dryer for families who need assistance with basic necessities. "It's not a free-for-all, but it's targeted assistance where we see we can make a difference," she notes.

Laura also highlighted the Shingleton Fund, established in honor of a beloved custodian and bus driver. Staff members contribute through payroll deductions to create a resource for meeting genuine family needs, whether for students or staff. This fund exemplifies Unity Point's commitment to supporting its community beyond traditional educational boundaries.

When asked about Unity Point's defining characteristics, Laura becomes emotional. "We're like a family," she explains, "but I don't mean everything's always wonderful and happy and there are never any problems. I mean, like, yeah, my brother is driving me crazy right now and got into some trouble, but I will stand by him and work it out because we’re family."

This authentic view of family – complete with disagreements and reconciliation – captures Unity Point's approach to community. Laura sees her role as part of a larger mission she describes as treating "children and adults like they are important, beautiful human beings, so when they leave here, they'll do the same thing."

For Laura, public education represents "one of the last institutions we have with the primary  purpose of serving people ." After 23 years in education, she has found in Unity Point a place where that service extends beyond academics to encompass the full range of human needs, supported by dedicated professionals who understand that excellence in education requires excellence in caring.