Lakia Kenan
Orr Elementary School, Grade 1, Teacher for 4 years
Why did you become a teacher?
I always wanted to be a teacher, since I was a child. I enjoyed helping people to learn how to do things. I taught my younger cousin how to tie his shoes, I wrote words on index cards and put them on the walls to teach my younger sister how to read… I always wanted to teach.
Who was your best teacher and why?
My best teacher was Ms. Logan, my pre-kindergarten teacher at Ketcham Elementary School. I was shy and we had a graduation scheduled, and she encouraged me to do the speech. My mother never thought I would do it because I was so shy! I was terrified but Ms. Ketcham convinced me to do it anyway, which I did.
What is one thing a student has taught you about being a better teacher? How did they do it?
I would say the students have taught me that everybody learns in a different way. Recently I started working more with smaller groups, and I am learning more about my students in this process. For one student, I’m seeing that if I sing something she catches it immediately when she wasn’t getting it otherwise. If you try new things with each of them, you will get to the results.
Tell us about a student who has inspired you, or exceeded your expectations in some way.
I was inspired by a student who came to school each day with a smile on his face, despite the fact that he could not read the grade level texts, sit on the carpet for a whole group lesson, count by twos, or stay in his place in line. Even though he was not be able to do any of these things, he still tried and kept a positive attitude, because he knew that I cared about him and that I would always try to find materials related to his interests. When I see this student today, he still makes me smile because he still wears that smile even though he struggles.
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