Apr 19, 2023
Laura Van Auker
Ventura High School ASSETs Program

Laura Van Auker, M.Ed., BCBA, runs the Ventura High School ASSETs program (After School Student Education Teamwork for Success).  It offers assistance with homework, snacks, and games, particularly assisting students who don't have immediate transportation home after school.

Laura (she/her) has been an educator for the past 15 plus years. Laura started in education as a paraprofessional in special education and went on to obtain her Education Specialist Credential and Master’s in Education at the University of California Santa Barbara. Laura taught special education classes at Hueneme Unified School District and Ojai Unified School District before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015. She served as the Inclusion Specialist and Behavior Analyst at Ojai Unified School District. In these roles, Laura taught individual and group social skills lessons, provided behavioral consultation for school staff members, conducted complex assessments, and taught district-wide professional development trainings. She has experience working with students from three to twenty-two years in age. Laura became the ASSETs director at Ventura High School in August of 2022. She is committed to providing dynamic, inclusive enrichment opportunities for teens in the ASSETs program. As a high school educator, she strives to provide students with unique and meaningful opportunities while creating a safe and empathetic space for students to spend time after the school day. Laura enjoys biking, bodysurfing, swimming, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.