Barbara Laurain is a retired educator who taught English, creative, writing and drama for over 45 years. She also produced over 20 high school drama and musical productions and was an adjunct instructor at Manchester Community College and University of Saint Joseph.

She has held various leadership positions in professional organizations, such as The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), New England Association of Teachers of English (NEATE) and National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME).

Barbara has also served as a board member of Hartford Children’s Theater and Ballet Hartford, and she currently serves on the boards of the Hillsteaders, the volunteer branch of the Hill-Stead Museum; Ballet Theater Company; the Encore fundraising group for Playhouse on Park; and the West Hartford Second Chance Shop.

Barbara also volunteers at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History and the New Britain Museum of American Art. She is a reader, an artist, a runner and a traveler.