Early Ed. Teacher: Kaylah Lopez
Today I have Kaylah from Create Love and Teach. Not only is she an early education teacher but took a leap and started to create resources for teachers and is in the work of creating a website to offer professional development to teachers everywhere! Here is Kaylah’s interview:
1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
When I was growing up I actually wanted to be Vet but as I got older I watched my mother work with children and grew in love with becoming a Teacher.
2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?
I remember when I was in 3rd grade I suddenly could not hear, I remember being terrified and the teacher rushed to me and was hugging me. She stayed with me until my parents came to get me, it turned out that my ear canals had closed and I had to have surgery to open them back up to hear again. I remember being so comforted by her.
3. How long have you been teaching, what country/state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?
I live in Arizona in the United States, and work as an early education Teacher. I have worked in early education for the past 18 years. I started as my mom’s assistant at a for profit preschool, where eventually I moved into a teaching position once I got my degree in Early Childhood education. After 15 years I left the for profit preschool to work for a nonprofit, Head start. I absolutely love the work that Head Start does and I now have another degree in Psychology.
4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?
My go to tool in my classroom is definitely social emotional learning tools. I am passionate about incorporating social emotional learning along with regular curriculum.
5. What is your favorite visual tool to use in the classroom to help accommodate work/lessons for students and why?
My favorite visual tool to use in my classroom is things such as, visual schedules, visual emotions boards etc. Anything that can help the child learn routine and promote social emotional learning.
6.I saw on your Instagram you offer virtual professional development, can you tell me a little bit more about that.
This is a new adventure that I am so excited about! I have been running a Teachers pay Teachers account for a while but just started adding professional development resources. To expand on that adventure I am currently working on building a website and will be offering full professional development courses through there.
7. Any advice for a new teacher you wish you had known?
I would say my advice is be adaptable. I know teachers can pour their hearts into a lesson but if the students aren't engaged they will not be learning. So being able to adapt and switch is always important.
8. What is your district's plan for this year due to COVID?
My district is currently still working and will reassess after spring break in March.
9. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since this Pandemic, do you think anything will change from it?
I am not sure if things will change but I feel class sizes should decrease. This allows for more personal lessons and allows for the teacher to perform better
10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I hope to have my own business of teaching and coaching teachers fully running and successful.
Thanks Kaylah!
Happy Teaching :)