Director of Federal Programs Laura Prather contributes to the education of every student in the Vicksburg Warren School District.

“She is definitely a service provider for the building,” Superintendent Chad Shealy said. “She has a direct impact on instruction due to the fact that it is resources that she allocates.”

The job is a year-round responsibility dealing with grant money received from the federal government.

Her job is to make sure they are in compliance with the assurances the federal government puts forth.

“She’s always here, she’s working all the time,” Shealy said. “She’s trying to be efficient and effective with the money. She’s incredibly trustworthy, and she’s an integral part of our team.”

She has really enjoyed her time working in the Vicksburg Warren School District for the past 18 years. For 16 year of those years, she has worked in federal programs and the past three years she has served as the director.

Prather feels like she’s really found her niche in her job. Combining dollar figures with education is ideal for her.

“I always enjoyed working with money and figures so basically that’s what federal programs is, a lot of dealing with money and making sure you’re in compliance,” Prather said.

Prather works with the department of education and each schools’ principal to observe and determine what money is needed and where. Then she follows a formula based on enrollment numbers and the schools’ income level that lets her know where the money should be distributed.

“She works with principals to be able to come up with solutions for buildings and she funnels that money directly into the classroom for supplies and extra teachers and different programs and technology,” Shealy said. “She works very closely with the district in those areas also.”

One of her favorite things about the job is seeing the children use the interactive white boards, computers, workbooks, library books and other materials the grant money was able to provide.

“It’s really good to see the district’s money put to use,” Prather said.

The federal programs department also works with Vicksburg Catholic School. Shealy said Prather works with nine schools total.

Not only is she able to provide supplies for students during the school year, but the grant money also goes toward summer schools, a third grade literacy summer camp and the children’s shelter.

In addition to moving offices this summer, Prather is currently in the middle of filling out applications for next year’s grant money. The applications ask for details of where and how the money will be used. Every year she has to apply to receive the funding.

She doesn’t get to spend much time in the classrooms, but she works with children in other capacities like the district’s Reading is Fundamental program.

All her life she wanted to be a teacher after being inspired by her aunt who also taught. The Port Gibson native attended Alcorn State University and continued her education at Texas Southern University and Jackson State University.

Prather moved to Texas and taught in Houston for 18 years. She got married while she lived there and chose to move back to her native Mississippi after her husband died in 1997. After continuing to teach in the classroom when she first came back to Mississippi, she decided she needed a change and became a lead teacher at Warren Central Intermediate School.

The new job allowed her to see different aspects of the school district and led her to federal programs.

She doesn’t have children, but she is very close with her five sisters and one brother. Prather has been a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority since 1974, and currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms. She is a member of Word of Faith and spends her time reading, listening to music and watching her favorite sport basketball.