Laura Aguilera
Texas
- Grades:
- 9–12
- Subject(s):
- School Social Work/ Counseling
A note from Laura
I’m Laura Aguilera, LMSW, a school social worker at a Title I alternative high school in South Texas. ❤️ My students are young people working toward a diploma while life is asking so much more of them than school. Some are navigating housing or food insecurity, grief, trauma, mental health struggles, parenting responsibilities, or returning to school after falling behind or dropping out. For many, graduation is a second chance they have fought hard for. My office has become much more than a social work office. It’s a safe place to grab a snack when you’re hungry, find hygiene products or clothing when you need them, use a grounding tool when anxiety takes over, cry when life gets heavy, or simply sit somewhere you know you won’t be judged. This work is also deeply personal to me. I was once a teen mom and an alternative school student myself. I know what it means to need someone to see beyond your circumstances and believe there is still so much ahead of you. Now I get to be that person for other students. I’ve worked in education since 2012 and have served my current students since 2022. In 2026, I was honored to be named the Texas School Social Worker of the Year, but some of the moments that mean the most will never come with an award. They’re the quiet ones: helping a student regulate through a crisis, finding something for a student to eat, providing clean clothes or hygiene supplies without making them feel embarrassed, or watching a student who once considered giving up finally walk across the graduation stage. 🎓 My wishlist is filled with the everyday things that make those moments possible: snacks, hygiene essentials, tissues, sensory and grounding tools, books, art supplies, clothing-closet needs, and resources to make my office a safe and welcoming place. My wishlist has never been fully cleared. Having it cleared would mean walking into this school year knowing that when a student comes through my door needing something, I have one more way to say, “I’ve got you.” These aren’t just supplies. They are small ways of removing barriers, protecting dignity, creating safety, and reminding young people that they are worth showing up for. Thank you for considering my students. A second chance can change the entire direction of a young person’s life. ❤️
A book Laura recommends
Invisible String by Patrice Karst
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