Gene Denton 32

As a young woman of color who attends public schools, I tend to notice the lack of diversity represented in public education. This does not only include racial or gender diversity but also includes diversity in ideas. As a student who plans on becoming a future educator, I am not only learning as a student in class, but I am also learning about the future educator that I want to become. Even though there is a current teacher shortage in America, there is an even greater shortage of educators that will encourage all voices to be heard inside the classroom.

After receiving my high school diploma, I plan to attend the University of Kansas to earn my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and later follow with earning my Master’s degree in something related to education. While at the University of Kanas, I plan to continue being a part of my new community in Lawrence by pledging into a service sorority and auditioning for the Rock Chalk Dance Team or University of Kansas Marching Band. Being an involved member of the community in Lawrence will help me gather more perspectives to bring into my future classroom. The true power of an educator is found when they can open their student’s eyes to a variety of cultures and experiences.

I serve as a counselor for Camp Discovery in the summer. We have a weekly focus and prepare lessons and activities to help encourage young children to think critically over the summer. I love being able to see that light bulb moment when they finally grasp a concept. Whether it is a small thing, like safely using scissors, or a more complex topic, like analyzing dinosaur poop to determine if they are herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores, I love seeing students learn and cannot wait until I have my own classroom.

My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Fogarty, is my inspiration for being a teacher. Walking into her room as a kindergartener was like walking into Ms. Frizzle’s classroom. It was a magical place with animals, excitement, and learning. Looking back on my time in her classroom as an adult, I’m shocked that she was able to manage all of these things and keep 30 tiny humans in line.  Mrs. Fogarty is someone that I hope to channel when I have my own classroom because she made learning fun.

Once I earn my bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, I want to become an educator in the Kansas City metro area. It is important to me to stay local because I want to help my community grow. I want to come back to my community as an educator and be a part of the positive change that I want for future generations. Being an educator in Kansas City means that I will get to inspire future generations and give them the drive to succeed. Not only will I get to educate students, but I will be able to form deeper connections with my students, co-workers, and the community since I will be serving in the community in that I grew up. It is important for students to have relatable teachers because students should have the opportunity to see themselves in all positions and feel valued and heard.

The key to becoming a good educator is being able to form meaningful relationships with people and working in the community where I grew up is one way to help break down barriers and build those relationships. I will have the background knowledge needed to help them find resources. Coming back to my community as an educator means that I will already understand the local resources that are available to my students and their families. Staying close to Kansas City would also allow me to connect future students with our city’s past and present. Kansas City has such a rich history and has become a place for diverse ideas. This is important to me because the more positive connections students make, the more opportunities they will have available in the future.