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Faculty Focus: Kara Rogers
Classes: Earth Science 6 and Engineering & Computer Science 8
Co-curricular involvement: club sponsor for Monday Makers and Disney Imagineers
I am also looking forward to leading two summer camp sessions this June and July with the seventh-grade science teacher, Mrs. Smith, called GPS Imagineers. GPS Imagineers will be a STEAM-based camp for kids who love Disney and making cool projects!
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Co-curricular involvement: club sponsor for Monday Makers and Disney Imagineers
Q. What was your path to teaching? Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?
A. I have always loved learning, but no, I did not always want to be a teacher. Two of my grandparents were teachers, so it was a career that I considered from an early age. I began teaching in 2008 and fell in love with teaching over the years. Almost all of my experience has been working in middle school, an age group that often gets a bad rap. It is a difficult job, but there is nowhere else I’d rather be than supporting and learning alongside my middle school students. They are challenging, inspiring, and hilarious!
Q. What is your teaching philosophy?
A. My teaching philosophy is based on student engagement. Students are engaged when they are actively involved in the learning process, connecting their new learning to other topics or concepts they have learned before, and becoming interested or even excited to learn more. The ultimate goal is for students to build curiosity and seek out learning experiences, like the famous, often misattributed quote, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
Q. What do you love most about teaching at GPS?
A. The girls! They are truly the kindest, most responsible, creative, respectful, and dedicated students. These girls are the future leaders of the world! After the girls, I would say that I also love the autonomy and professionalism shown to staff at GPS. I feel trusted to try new things and valued for my strengths and experience as I try to make my classroom the best possible place for learning that it can be.
Q. How has your time at GPS been so far?
A. I can honestly say that I am SO happy to be here! Every day, it is easy to find joy working with my fantastic students. As with any new position, my first six months at GPS have involved lots of learning and growth, adapting to new expectations and new challenges. Everyone at GPS has been supportive and helpful, and I look forward to building deeper relationships with my colleagues. Next school year will be even better!
Q. What are you most looking forward to this semester?
A. This semester, I am most looking forward to my first Winterim experience. I am especially excited to explore and extend our learning about Earth and space during two special activities that we have planned for the sixth-graders. We will be taking them to the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA and on a simulated space mission at the UTC Challenger Center.
I am also looking forward to leading two summer camp sessions this June and July with the seventh-grade science teacher, Mrs. Smith, called GPS Imagineers. GPS Imagineers will be a STEAM-based camp for kids who love Disney and making cool projects!
