2026 Outstanding Educator Awardee: Laura Cummings

Every two years, The Mind Trust recognizes an educator whose impact reaches far beyond their classroom. The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes and honors teachers who demonstrate strong academic results, invest deeply in their school communities, and create a standard of excellence for other teachers.

This year, The Mind Trust is honoring Laura Cummings (Mrs. Cummings), a science teacher and Science Department Chair at Herron Classical Schools (HCS).

An accomplished scientist and educator, Mrs. Cummings brings more than a decade of experience to her roles. She teaches AP and Honors Chemistry while leading curriculum development, coaching fellow teachers, and strengthening instruction across her department. Her background spans both secondary and postsecondary education, including teaching biology at Ball State University, and she has two master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

What stands out most is the consistent impact she has on students, colleagues, and families.

A Standard of Excellence for Teachers and Leaders

Mrs. Cummings sets the standard at HCS. As Head of School for HCS Riverside, Emanuel Harper puts it: she “sweats the small stuff,” reflecting how deeply she cares about student achievement and instructional quality. Whether she’s teaching some of the school’s most rigorous courses or leading her department, Mrs. Cummings is intentional about every detail, from lesson design to classroom culture.

That level of care doesn’t just stay in her classroom. As a department chair, she ensures that other teachers have the tools to deliver high-quality instruction, modeling best practices and reinforcing what strong teaching looks like.

HCS President Janet McNeal echoed that sentiment, noting that Mrs. Cummings not only understands her content deeply but also helps students understand what comes next, whether that’s pursuing a science major or preparing for a future career. “She sets the standard for what teaching should look like,” McNeal said.

Her influence is both instructional and cultural. Described as an “institutional force” by Harper, she is shaping not only student outcomes but also how teachers grow and lead. 

A Teacher Families Trust

Andrea Reese, a parent and fellow educator at HCS, described what it means to have a teacher who is skilled and deeply invested in students. “When we see a teacher who knows what they’re doing and genuinely wants our scholars to learn, that means a lot,” she said.

That trust forms through consistency, through the way Mrs. Cummings shows up for students day in and day out. Families see a teacher who not only delivers strong academics but also cares about students as individuals.

Reese put it simply: “Thank you for caring about our students, their well-being, and who they are as scholars.”

A Lasting Impact on Students

For students, Mrs. Cummings’ classroom is both rigorous and deeply supportive.

Whether it’s providing advanced materials or designing custom supports, she meets students where they are and helps them grow. Her approach is intentional, adapting to different learning styles, creating additional resources when needed, and ensuring that every student has a pathway to understanding. 

Karla, one of her students, described a classroom that is both structured and welcoming. “She’s very interactive and engaged with us,” Karla shared. “She’ll do whatever she needs to make sure we understand.”

That impact doesn’t end when students leave her classroom.

Georgia, a former student now studying chemistry at Butler University, credits Mrs. Cummings with shaping her academic path. After taking her first chemistry classes with Mrs. Cummings at HCS, she went on to pursue the subject in college and now plans to become an organic synthetic chemist.

Years later, their connection continues. Georgia works with a lab at Butler University, where she helps facilitate lab experiences for high school students. Mrs. Cummings’ AP Chemistry class is one of the groups she currently supports. What began as a classroom relationship has come full circle, reflecting the kind of long-term impact great teaching can have.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities she gave me,” Georgia shared. “She really shaped my academic goals and the future I see for myself.”

Students describe Mrs. Cummings’ classroom as warm and inviting, a place where they are greeted, supported, and encouraged every day. It’s why so many return to say hello or share updates on their journeys, long after they stopped being her student.

The Lasting Power of Great Teachers

Great teachers do more than instruct. They build confidence, create belonging, and push students to reach higher than they thought possible.

Mrs. Cummings embodies just this. She creates a learning environment where both students and teachers thrive through her commitment to excellence, her investment in others, and her unwavering focus on students.

That’s what makes her this year’s Outstanding Educator, and a powerful example of what great teaching looks like in action.