Laura Kell is a BHS alumnus from the class of 1988. She was born and raised in Buford, and she still lives and works here today. Laura is the youngest of three children of the late James W. “Jimmy” Simpson and Marvine Simpson. Her sister, Caroline Bird, is the oldest, and her brother, White Simpson, is the middle child. Laura attended a private kindergarten led by Mrs. Faye Miles, but she started attending Buford in first grade, where she stayed until graduation.
Laura was always a busy student in high school. She was very well-rounded, participating in athletics, clubs and fine arts. Laura displayed a love for music, participating in the marching band as well as the concert band. She was also a gifted vocalist as a member of the BHS girls’ chorus and Bel Canto chorus. Laura balanced her musical talents with athletics by lettering in softball at the high school. In addition to music and athletics, she was also an active member of Beta Club and Spanish Club.
As a well-rounded student, Laura’s success in her extracurriculars was paralleled by her success in academics. With a 3.9 GPA, she was always a high-level student at BHS and beyond. Her favorite subject in high school was math. Laura has fond memories of her teachers, but specifically, Mrs. Elinor Wilson, Mr. Bill Davies and Mr. Gerald Hopper were the most influential for her. Each of them always encouraged her and pushed her to do her absolute best.
After graduating from BHS in 1988, Laura attended the University of Georgia, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1992 and her master’s degree in 1998 in early childhood education. She also earned an educational specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 2007. Laura graduated from UGA with honors, and she is a member of the Delta Gamma women’s fraternity at UGA, in which she held several leadership positions while in school.
Currently, Laura is a kindergarten teacher at Buford Elementary School. She is now in her 29th year of teaching, with each of those years spent at Buford Elementary. During that time, she has had experience teaching kindergarten, first grade and second grade. She also spent 10 years as a special area math teacher and three years as an EIP teacher at the elementary school. Laura said she chose to become a teacher because she loves children, and she always wanted to be able to have a positive influence on young ones, just as her teachers did for her during her time as a student at Buford.
Laura currently lives in her hometown here in Buford with her husband, Lawrence Kell, and their two sons, Preston and Landon. Lawrence and Laura have been happily married for 27 years. Preston is 24 years old and a senior at the University of North Georgia, and Landon is 27 and a senior at the University of Georgia.
During her free time, Laura enjoys reading, watching movies with her family and cheering on her Georgia Bulldogs.
Laura Kell grew up with the unique experience of being a Buford Wolf. There were countless teachers who shaped her and influenced her goals in life, helping her to become the accomplished teacher she is today. Laura still happily spreads the values her teachers so lovingly taught her to her students at BES. Buford’s youth is in the best of hands with Laura Kell. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
— Torin Smith
The Buford High School alumni spotlights are made possible by the generosity of the City of Buford.
