Educator Of The Month: Kendyl Whiteley

Severna Park resident Kendyl Whiteley is a product of her environment. She attended Jones Elementary School and Severna Park middle and high schools. As she approaches the end of her ninth year in education - all within Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Whiteley could not imagine teaching anywhere else but in Severna Park.

Whiteley was a substitute teacher at each of the Severna Park cluster elementary schools, among others in the county, before deciding that Folger McKinsey Elementary School was where she wanted to establish more permanent career roots. She loves teaching third grade because she feels students start to find their independence around age 9, and she’s fortunate to watch their significant growth and progress from the start to the end of the school year.

To keep her students engaged and motivated, Whiteley pairs them together as classroom buddies to create small groups that change throughout the school year. This gives students the opportunity to collaborate and work with classmates they may not necessarily choose on their own. She said that it also promotes a strong classroom community and a positive environment.

“We have flexible seating so students can choose to sit on yoga ball chairs, bean bags, carpet, and utilize trays. For math, students can choose to participate in various classroom math games once their independent work is completed,” Whiteley said of the unique options students have in her class. “For science, there are many experiments occurring, so students are active in their learning processes. I think it is essential to involve students in their learning, as this really motivates and encourages them to reach their fullest potential.”

In addition to her students, Whiteley said her colleagues keep her energy high. Working together on grade-level teams as well as vertical teams that focus on the six levels of learning (kindergarten through fifth grade), the entire faculty is supportive of each other and ready to share ideas on how to ensure student engagement, success and happiness.

“It is important to have an open mind as an educator that one size does not fit all,” Whiteley added. “Each student is unique and individual in their own ways.”

Whiteley appreciates the Folger staff, teachers and students and believes they are what make the school such an exceptional place to teach. She noted that she feels fortunate to work with wonderful people who challenge her to learn and grow in her career.