Art of a scholar thinking

Laura Renard, gcLi-Penn/GSE Scholarship for School Leadership ‘24-’25, Proust Questionnaire

Laura RenardLeadership Lab, Leadership Programs, Pedagogy of Leadership Interview, Pedagogy Of Leadership®, Student Leadership

by Laura Renard, Upper School Spanish Faculty and Spanish Coordinator at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, OK

1. Who are your favorite writers? 

I love to read when I have time and have so many favorites! Here are a few:

– In English – Jane Austen, Margaret Atwood, Lauren Groff, Ray Bradbury, Paulo Coelho, Italo Calvino

– In Spanish – Miguel de Cervantes, Julio Cortázar, Jorge Luis Borges, Laura Esquivel, Gabriel García Márquez, Federico García Lorca

2. Who are your heroes in real life? 

 My parents – I’m so grateful for all they did for me growing up.

3. Who or what motivated you to become an educator? 

It started as a teaching job between college and grad school and it quickly became much more than that for me. My own teachers and mentors  motivated me to turn that teaching job into a passion for education, and I am grateful for all they have done for me and hope to pass that on to my students.

4. Your idea of happiness…

Fall – I love when the air gets that crisp feeling and the leaves change and crunch under your feet when you walk/run. I love everything apple and have made my own cider donuts on occasion to celebrate the fall when an apple orchard is nowhere nearby. I love the colors and the spirit of the season!

5. In a nutshell, what is your definition of leadership?

Leadership is creating space for the people around you to shine. It is providing support and vision to help guide the process. It is being willing to learn and reflect in order to improve. It is caring deeply, being authentic, and committing to your mission and values.

6. What do you most value in your friends?

Kindness, honesty, and love

7. What do you do for self-renewal?

I like to go out to dinner with my husband, go trail running with friends, and practice my French Horn. I also enjoy watching a little Netflix after a long week!

8. Who is your hero/ heroine of fiction?

Elizabeth Bennett – I grew up watching Pride and Prejudice with my mother and she has always been one of my favorites!

9. What is your current state of mind?

Focused and determined

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Laura Renard is entering year 17 as an educator and her third year at Heritage Hall, where she teaches US Spanish, co-teaches Peer Leadership, acts as the Spanish Coordinator, coaches XC, and assists with Pep Club. Previously, she was at Hyde School (2008-2015) and Saint Mary’s Hall (2015- 2022), and she served as Spanish faculty, Dean of Academics (Hyde), and World Languages & Cultures Department Chair (SMH), amongst other roles with academic leadership, student leadership development, community service (SMH), and residential life (Hyde).