Where do you teach? Frankfort High School’s Panther Transition Academy, Frankfort Independent
What subject(s)/grade(s) do you teach? Math & Science (10th -12th grade)
How many years have you taught? 6
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I want to leave a positive impact on the next generation. I want to help inspire the next generation to be their best selves. I want to show them that their background or family’s background does not dictate who they can become. They have the power to break generational curses, create new traditions, and do whatever they put their minds to. I want to motivate the next generation to know that self-care is important as well as having a growth mindset.
What has been the best part of teaching that you didn’t expect when entering the profession? For me, the best part of teaching that I didn’t expect when entering the profession is the bond that you develop with the students and your colleagues that last for years. I tell students at the beginning of the year, “Congratulations, you are officially a C-squared kid”. I love each and every one of my students as my own. After they graduate, I still check in on them, and sometimes they even check in on me. Once you build a good, healthy rapport with the students, you can break through so many learning barriers in the classroom. That is the best part about teaching for me.
What is one thing you wish non-teachers knew about what you do? One thing I wish non-teachers knew about what I do is that I teach, inspire, and motivate my students every single day. For me, my job does not end at 3:05 because I also support my students in their extracurricular activities as well (such as sports and plays).
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a teacher? My greatest accomplishment as a teacher is being the teacher that the students know will never give up on them. I also enjoy being the teacher that the students know loves them, but also will correct them with love.
What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t teaching? My favorite things to do when I am not teaching are spending quality time with my wife, spending quality time with my family, working on the business that my wife and I own, and watching television and movies. I like to think of myself as an extraordinary introvert. My favorite genres of TV are true crime, DIY, game shows, comedies, and sitcoms. I love all three of the Law & Order series, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Equalizer, 911, 911: Lone Star, The Ms. Pat Show, and Abbott Elementary. For movies, I love a good suspense and I am a sucker for feel-good movies with either a love story or finding oneself theme.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? If I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to become invisible. I love helping others, but sometimes we all just need a mental break. With the ability to become invisible, I could use that time to de-stress and take a little self-care. It also would be cool to quietly get the bad guys without them knowing.
Social media handles: Twitter: @MrsKCsquared, FB: Krystal Conway-Cunningham, Instagram: 2naciouseagle