April Staff of the Month – Laurel Claybaugh

Success Virtual Learning Centers is excited to recognize Laurel Claybaugh as our April Staff of the Month! Laurel wears a lot of hats at Success, but if you ask her, her favorite one is simple: the one where she gets to take care of people. Currently, Laurel serves as Student Services Coordinator and Regional Director for the Muskegon and Grand Rapids centers, supporting staff so they can focus on what matters most—supporting students.

If you’ve worked with Laurel, you know her role is all about strengthening the foundation. She describes the best part of her work as having the opportunity to serve a large number of people, making sure the staff who do the important work of caring for students feel cared for, too. It’s leadership that’s practical, human, and grounded in the day-to-day realities of education—especially within the world of special education, where no two days ever look the same. As Laurel puts it, “I don't think there are any typical days within the world of special education.”

This is Laurel’s 9th school year with Success, and her path here reflects both experience and growth. She began in December 2017 as a Special Education Teacher, and her role has adjusted and transitioned several times since then—shaping her into the leader she is today.

When asked what she’s most proud of, Laurel didn’t point to a single project or milestone. Instead, she highlighted something even bigger: the team. She’s proud of the Student Services team they’ve built together—especially because, in special education, high turnover is often the norm. At Success, Laurel says that’s not the case. The team is “an eclectic bunch” who truly care about helping students achieve their goals, advocating for their needs, and supporting their teammates along the way.

Recently, Laurel enjoyed an experience that reflects what she values most: connection. She shared how meaningful it was to have 11 teammates attend the CEC Conference, especially because much of the team works remotely. Getting together in person created space for relationship-building and new learning—two things Laurel is always moving toward.

If you had to summarize Laurel’s approach in a phrase, you could borrow from her own: “Always moving forward.” She’s known for saying “it’s a great day to be human” and “we can figure that out together,” reminders that people deserve to be seen and heard, and that growth includes the freedom to try, learn, and not get it perfect the first time.

Outside of work, Laurel spends as much time as possible with family. When she’s on her own, she enjoys paper crafting—card making and scrapbooking—and she’s looking forward to gardening again this year.

Congratulations, Laurel! Thank you for the way you care for people, strengthen teams, and help Success keep moving forward—together.