Where the System Ends, CAA Begins. We Built the College We Couldn't Find. CAA Story #23: Professor Laura J.

Dance and performance has always been a passion for Laura Jones. She discovered ballet in fourth grade and later in life fell in love with tap dancing. 

Laura is neurodiverse and became involved with Changeling Dance Theatre, which focused on bringing dance to young people with disabilities. She wanted to implement a similar program at CAA which catered to adult students. In 2017, she came to CAA and became an associate professor in dance and now assists with both the cultural dance class and the cheer squad. 

Laura says she enjoys working with students and hopes to continue to teach additional dance courses, specifically in the newer Tap Squad class. 

“I really like helping people and practicing dance with the students,” said Laura. 

According to Laura’s mom Joy, when Laura was younger, teachers told her that Laura would never get beyond a certain point when it came to learning and functioning in the world. But Joy knew how capable her daughter was and didn’t accept that.

“What you perceive as the potential of someone will often dictate what that potential will be,” said Joy. 

Prior to working at CAA, Laura graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from San Jose State and worked with the dance program at Friends of Children with Special Needs and the Ariel Dance Studio. 

When she is not teaching, Laura and her mom Joy love travelling the world. Laura has been to 22 countries outside of the US, including France, Italy and Greece.