As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 3/6/10
"Mom, I have the greatest teacher this year."
Middle school years are not the easiest of times. Girls can be mean, boys can be indifferent, and the curriculum is more challenging. School is not necessarily a kid's favorite place to be. To hear those words coming from your teenager can be music to your ears — and a reason your child wants to go to school at all.
My oldest daughter said that to me two years ago during her first week of ninth grade at Rio Rancho Mid-High. She was talking about Laura Vogel, the science teacher whose room at the end of the hall had a different kind of energy you could feel the moment you walked through her door. Not because of the beakers on the tables or the fuzzy experiments on the shelf, but because of the magnetic teacher at the front of the room.
Vogel's reputation preceded her. Everyone wanted her, and you were lucky if you got her for a teacher.
I met Vogel at back-to-school night that August where the regular drill consisted of a five-minute speech on what was expected from your child that semester.
Not in Vogel's class: The parents were paired up in teams, given a pile of wood blocks and told to follow the directions on the board and prove E equaled MC squared, or something to that effect. And you were timed. What a blast for a parent — just imagine how much fun their kids had during the day.
"We had a lot of our classes outside," said Lili, a former student of Vogel's. "We used to drop old appliances off the roof to study the effects of gravity. Oh, and our class adopted an ape. She was into a lot of animal causes."
Hamilton, another former student of Vogel's, had similar fond memories. "She was the teacher who made you smile about science. Her energy for what she taught and her care and nurturing of her students earned her the respect she very well deserves. Not to mention she was an awesome tree hugger as well."
Vogel coached girl's soccer at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces and science in Rio Rancho prior to moving to Hawaii to tutor. She disappeared Feb. 21 while camping near her home in Maui. There hasn't been much luck in finding her, and her family and friends are worried.
A candlelight vigil was held Thursday night in Rio Rancho for Vogel, and I would say close to 100 people showed up to pray, share their stories of her and just be together. We shielded our candles from the wind and took turns remembering special things about this outdoorsy, athletic, kind-hearted soul.
Someone remembered how Vogel wouldn't miss a Sunday steak barbecue with friends but would proudly bring a bowl of squash; she was a staunch vegetarian. Someone else said she was probably the only person to have ever surfed Cochiti Lake in eastern New Mexico (she was an avid surfer, no matter the body of water). Someone else remembered how much Vogel loved Bob Marley and would often play his music in the classroom. There was laughter, tears and warm wishes for her safe return.
If you have a memory of Laura Vogel you would like to share, please send it to me. Join Find Laura Vogel on Facebook or visit www.findlauravogel.blogspot.com for updates.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura and her family.
Quote of the Week: "Rise up this mornin'/ Smiled with the risin' sun/Three little birds/ Pitch by my doorstep/Singin' sweet songs/Of melodies pure and true/ Sayin' ( This is my message to you-ou-ou:)" — Bob Marley, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
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