185: Bonus Edition- Being Your Best with Kim Lepre

Kim is a veteran educator of 17 years, currently a 7th-grade English teacher, Beginning Teacher Mentor, Educational Technology Specialist, and technology and standards-based coach throughout her district. She also has a Leading Edge Blended Learning certificate and is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator.

During her career, she’s taught band, choir, AVID, Study Skills, and all levels of English Language Arts (ELA), including special education, English Learners, accelerated, and students with disabilities with a co-teacher. She has a unique set of experiences that allow her to meet her students and teaching mentees where they’re at, illuminate their unique value to the world, and create strong and lasting relationships.

Kim says, “I absolutely LOVE teaching 7th grade as well as coaching new teachers. Both groups have needs that are unique to that time in their life. They’re dealing with crazy and overwhelming transitions and their future success greatly depends on the love and support they receive at that time.”

Quotables

• Be introspective and look at what we are doing well
• Use what you are good at in a positive way
• Be quick to apologize
• “How can I help you so that you can be your best?”
• You can be teaching’s biggest cheerleader, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to make you a successful educator
• Be self-reflective and have a burning desire to improve and learn for the sake of the kids
• Be honest with yourself
• Your life in the classroom is going to be vastly easier and enjoyable if you are a likable teacher who genuinely connects with their students
• We have to stop making excuses for ourselves
• Use your time off to reset

Kim’s Stamp of Approval

• Education Podcast Network
• Chris Nesi from House of EdTech
• Gary Vaynerchuk
• Twitter Thought Leaders: David Geurin, George Couros, Alice Keeler, Pernille Ripp,

Connect with Kim