CHS Tiger Times reporter Emily Schrimsher recently sat down with Cohoes High School Assistant Principal Laura Tarlo.
What are your hobbies?
I like to travel and try different foods. I’d like to consider myself a foodie. I go RV-ing. I also enjoy snowboarding and drumming. I’m always going to my kids games and watching them play.
How have things changed at Cohoes High School from when you went here?
Everything is different. At the end of tough days you left here and nothing followed you home like it does now.
What are your favorite activities (both inside and outside of school)?
Inside: I love trying to help kids if they are having a tough day, figuring out ways to improve their grades, and problem solve with them so they can have the best high school experience. Outside: Spending time with family, playing with my two dogs (Vera and Winston), interior decorating, blogging and house-building.
What is your favorite saying and why?
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”- Abraham Lincoln
It’s about creating your own future and not waiting for somebody to do it.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
A giraffe, because my husband says that I have a long neck.
How did you know you wanted to be a teacher/assistant principal?
I started pretending to be a teacher when I was in third grade. I used to have a make believe classroom and would give my “students” National Geographic magazines. My parents were business owners, so we had a photocopy machine where I would print dittos and handouts.
Who’s your inspiration and why?
I think my inspiration comes from my parents. My mom and dad are hard workers. They always give back to the community in any way they can. They taught me that you can’t get anywhere in life by feeling sorry for yourself. You don’t get anywhere in life by being lazy. You get somewhere in life by working really hard and believing in yourself.
Where did you go to college?
I went to college at a few places. I went to Hudson Valley, then Siena. I went to Sage Graduate School, then got my administration degree from SUNY Plattsburgh.
What are your favorite movies?
Rad. It’s an 80’s bike movie. That’s the best movie ever and has the best soundtrack. I’m also a big fan of Over the Top and Rocky IV. Anything that has Sylvester Stallone.
What are the best/toughest parts of your job?
The best part of my job is making a positive impact in a student’s life. The worst part of my job are all the regulations and laws that can impede success or hinder a student’s ability to grow and to learn. Many of the regulations are made by people that have never been in a classroom or taught.
What is your favorite thing about being an assistant principal?
My favorite thing is every day is different and I get to be busy all day, which works for my personality because I’m hyper and I have a lot of energy.