New Educator Spotlight: Grace Kennedy

Every week, we will be featuring one of our new LPS educators to get to know a little more about them and why they chose to be an educator. This week's New Educator Spotlight is Grace Kennedy, first grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School.

Building/Department: Lakeview Elementary School

Teaching Assignment/Role: 1st Grade

Why did you want to become an educator?

I wanted to become a teacher because of the impact that teachers had on me and my life growing up. There were so many positive memories and relationships that were created when I was in school. That inspired me to want to continue creating those as I grew up and become a teacher. I do not remember a time when I did not know that I was going to become a teacher.

What has been your favorite part of working for Lincoln Public Schools?

My favorite part of working for Lincoln Public Schools are the relationships that I have created with the staff and the students. 

I have had SO MUCH support from every single staff member around me. Everyone that I have worked with has been there for me to help me grow and learn as a person and a teacher. I have also had an exceptionally great group of new teachers around me to learn everything with. 

I was nervous about the relationships I would be able to create with students in a different grade because of this being my first year and only working with my first grade students. The relationships that can be built with students of all grades because of the community at Lakeview and all of LPS has been amazing.

Did you attend Lincoln Public Schools as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?

I am from Grand Island, NE. I graduated high school from Grand Island Senior High.

Where did you attend college?

I attended college at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

What is your favorite part of being an educator?

My favorite part of being an educator is every day being a new day and a new start. Each day is different and that is what makes teaching an adventure. It does not matter what happened the day before because myself and my students will come to school the next day ready to work hard. There is so much excitement and love that comes with teaching!

What is a fun fact about you?

I got engaged to my boyfriend, Reed, in Puerto Rico. We will be getting married on June 3rd, which is also our five year dating anniversary.

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