Kadence Koen

Tell us why you became a teacher

School was not always easy or fun for me. I did not want to be a teacher when I grew up, as a matter of fact it was a second career for me. Teaching is something I do for the students. I am a good teacher because I was not a good student. I can relate to kids who do not love the classroom. I can relate to students who do not learn in the traditional ways. I am a teacher because I want to teach kids HOW to think not WHAT to think. I encourage kids to find their passion and pursue it!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a young man in class my second, third and fifth year teaching. I did not like him. I actually quite disliked him. About five years after he graduated he came by the school to visit me. He was dressed in his military uniform and looked very well put together. He came by room to tell me thank you for everything I had done for him and tell me that his older brothers were in prison and he would have been there too if it were not for me. I am not sure I have ever cried so much.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would set up a scholarship fund for my school. The fund would be for non-traditional post high school students. It would be used for things like buying plumbing tools, or providing transportation for families to attend military graduations. I would invest the money so the scholarship fund would continue for years to come.