Laura Hopkins is retiring after 35 years of teaching.

“Milton has some pretty wonderful families that have allowed me to learn just as much from them as the students have learned from me,” she said.

Hopkins spent her career as a learning disabilities specialist/teacher and a fourth-grade teacher. She began teaching in Milton in 1986. She first taught children with learning disabilities at Milton Middle School, Milton West, Milton East and Northside Intermediate School for 12 years. In 1998 she began teaching fourth grade at Northside.

“… 31 years have passed since the first day I began teaching here, to embark upon a career in education that would lead me to meet so many wonderful people,” she said. “These people have touched my life like no other. Milton has the most compassionate and understanding colleagues, families and administrators. There is no place I would have rather spent my career.

During her time in Milton, Hopkins was fortunate enough to accomplish many career goals. Her greatest achievement, she said has been teaching students who have consistently performed well on state and district tests. Another achievement included training 15 student teachers and 12 field study students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Her favorite words of wisdom are, “A teacher who loves teaching teaches students to love learning.”

She has always tried to instill that in her students, along with being compassionate towards others.

“I wish the best for all the students I have had the opportunity to teach throughout the years,” she said. “I hope to be able to follow my former students into the future to see where their careers lead them. I know they will also make a difference with those they touch.”

Hopkins plans to stay in the Milton area. She and her husband look forward to traveling more and spending time with family.