Staff Spotlight: Laura Rotter, Wilson

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Laura Rotter. 

Rotter has been a kindergarten teacher for 33 years in the Granite City School District, and currently teaching at Wilson Elementary School.

What is your favorite part about teaching kindergarten?
I love how eager the kids are to learn, how much they love school, and seeing the progress they make over our year together. 

What inspired you to be a teacher?
I’ve always loved children and knew from the time I was 10 that I wanted to be a teacher. In addition, my dad was a teacher and later a principal at Granite City High School for his entire career, and he set an excellent example for me.

What is your favorite memory from teaching?
I have so many. One that shaped me as a teacher and person was when Ms. Henson’s student, Chandler, invited me to her martial arts belt ceremony. I told her I might not make it because I had a baby shower that same day. She looked at me with huge, serious eyes and said I could never disappoint her. I made sure I was at that ceremony—and I’ve always wanted to be worthy of her faith in me.

Hobbies?
Watching my nephew and my St. Louis Blues play hockey, as well as traveling with my Frohardt teacher besties: LeVault, Meador, Kocarnik, Mueller, and Nikki Jordan.

Who do you look up to and why?
My inspiration, role model, and hero was my mom. So many kids knew and loved her when she came to my class to listen to them read (always bringing treats, too). She was a gift to them—and to me—every day of my life.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net.