Educators are perhaps the greatest population of unsung heroes in Berrien and Cass County This school year, Leader Publications will publish a weekly spotlight featuring teachers throughout the district, giving the community a chance to get to know the hard-working individuals shaping their children’s lives. Answers will be published in the newspaper that serves your school district. Please feel free to answer as extensively as you please.

Please email completed questionnaires to news@leaderpub.com by no later than Sept. 7, 2018. Questions can be directed to (269) 687-7700.

Name: Kaley Flynn

School: Dowagiac Middle School

Grade(s)/subject(s) taught: Sixth to eighth grade self-contained math

Where did you attend college? Saint Mary’s College

How many years have you been teaching? How many years have you been with your current school? This is my fifth year teaching and my first year at Dowagiac Middle School.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I wanted to make an impact on students’ education and let them know that there is someone that cares about his or her future.

Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Working out, spending time with my four children and exploring the outdoors.

What is one thing your students may not know about you? My students may not know that I attended every home Notre Dame football game while I was in college.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Belle [from “Beauty and the Beast”] because she sees people for their inner beauty and not what they look like from the outside.

When you were a student in the grade you teach, what were your favorite hobbies? I enjoyed playing sports; soccer, volleyball, softball and basketball.

How would your co-workers describe your teaching style and personality? My coworkers would say that I am easy going, flexible and relatable. They would say that my teaching style is very hands on, creative and engaging.

Who is your biggest role model and why? My biggest role model is my mother because she has been through so much in life, but still manages to see the best in every challenge that she has faced. She truly sees the true people in every person and opportunity.

How has education changed in the last 10 years? Education has changed more from a teacher led, traditional approach to a more student led, project based learning.

What is your best advice to parents to help their child continue growing academically? Ask your student what they did in school today. Let them know that you care about their academics. Also, have them spend time reading at home.

If my students learn one thing this year, I hope it is… That they are loved and cared for and that they are capable of doing whatever they set their minds to.