Dr. Kenyatta Arnette

Tell us why you became a teacher

My mother did her best to raise me in a community filled with crime, drugs, and violence and instilled within me a passion for learning. As a first generation college graduate, I reflect often on the teachers who saw my potential and rallied around my mother to ensure that I had what I needed to be successful. I became a teacher to pay their passion and kindness; to touch and changes lives of young people who, like me, need hope and encouragement to rise above their circumstances.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One day, while out in the community, I was recognized by a young woman who looked familiar but whose name I didn’t recall. She asked my name and when I confirmed who I was she told me her name and then began to cry and embraced me. She attributed her current professional success to my efforts as her teacher. She shared with me that it was because of me and the inspiration that I gave to my students each day that she did not give up on life and found the courage and strength to live.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have been out of school for a long time but I keep in touch with a few of my K-12 teachers. All of them are now retired from education and are up in age now. I would like to send each of them a monetary gift as an expression of my gratitude for the love, time, energy, empathy, compassion, and faith each of them invested in me.