Polk State professor connects music to teaching in Polk Style magazine cover story

Laura Brimer’s ability to bridge the worlds of academia and music has shaped her into a uniquely creative force, one that she explores in depth in the latest cover story of Polk Style magazine.

As a Professor of English at Polk State College and a dynamic performer inspired by the rhythm of poetry, Brimer reflects on how her dual passions inform and elevate each other, revealing the creative synergy that defines her life both in the classroom and on the stage.

“Students have seen me perform and have asked if my mom is Professor Brimer,” she laughed. “When I tell them that I’m Professor Brimer, they’re surprised.

“Students think we hang ourselves up on the wall in the classroom until our next meeting. This gives students perspective,” she added. “It provides me with perspective, too, that my students have lives outside of ENC 1101. It helps me to keep an open mind. Many of our students are from nontraditional backgrounds and I always want to remain understanding of that.”

Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of accessible, high-quality education, Brimer was drawn to Polk State’s mission. With a bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Tampa, Brimer began her career at McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland before serving Florida Virtual School. When the opportunity arose to join the faculty at Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, she admits that she didn’t know much about the institution—but she was quickly impressed by the school’s commitment to student success and felt fortunate to land the position.

“I cannot say enough good things about Polk State and my experiences, especially under [retired] Principal Bridget Fetter. She encouraged me to get my master’s degree so that I would be credentialed to teach college English,” Brimer said. “I fell in love with teaching ENC 1101 and 1102—I realized that my calling and my passion are in state and community colleges.”

Inspired by broadening access to higher education, Brimer is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Florida State University.

“We are uniquely positioned at Polk State and within our state college system with the population we serve to make effective change in our communities,” she added.

‘Beyond MLA format, there are no rules’

Serving nontraditional students, Brimer takes a nontraditional approach in her classroom.

“Besides MLA format, there are no rules,” she shared. “Students often feel external pressure to be on a timeline in terms of graduating. But I got my master’s degree 10 years after my undergraduate, and now I am working on my Ed.D. 10 years after my master’s degree. When you work at your own pace and do your own thing, you are open to opportunities.”

This is also illustrated by her longtime music career. Brimer’s first professional gig was at 14 years old. Today, she performs as Laura TheSinger, specializing in soul, jazz, pop, and R&B. She also performs in a group, Black Satin, known for a “slick, soul kind of sound.”

Brimer shared how her performance skills translate into the classroom.

“My skills come in handy, from projecting and using my voice to being able to engage the students from an entertainment factor,” she explained. “I love to dig into poetry. Students will even bring me music for us to dissect and those conversations are really productive.

“I take a more modern approach to research. I encourage them to be more creative and think outside of the box because that’s how I live my life,” she added. “My life experiences play into my approach in the classroom and my approach to the students.”

She’s got Style

More of Brimer’s journey is featured in the cover story of Polk Style’s October 2024 issue. When discovering she would see her face on the cover of magazines across newsstands in Polk County, she admits that she first believed that her story had been cut from the publication.

“[Publisher] Nanay Pittman called me in and said, ‘Don’t be upset, don’t be upset’ so I thought she may have cut the story. I wasn’t expecting it when she unveiled the cover. I saw my face and my mouth literally opened,” Brimer recalled. “I couldn’t be more grateful because I really just want to spread joy through my music.”

Brimer spreads joy through her teaching as well.

“I treat my students with dignity and respect, no matter their age or proficiency,” she reflected on teaching high school classes versus college courses. “Seeing the light bulb go off in their heads is what it’s all about. As instructors, sometimes we get bogged down in the day-to-day, but it’s the big-picture stuff that keeps us motivated.”