Laura Godfrey is Editor of Social Studies and the Young Learner  and other NCSS Publications. Laura has worked in higher education as a composition and literature instructor and as a retention specialist. As a medievalist, she is interested in the study of history for understanding the systems and people of the past and present in order to shape the future. Laura holds B.A. degrees in English and Spanish (Louisiana State University), an M.A. in English (University of Mississippi) and a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies (University of Connecticut).