|
|
|
Name: Kim McMurry
Position, subject you teach: English 2, English 4, Drama & Forensics, World Geography, World History
School: Kiowa County High School
Hometown: Greensburg
Education: Associate's Degree in Science from Garden City Community College; BA in Secondary English Education from Southwestern College in Winfield; Master's in English from Fort Hays State University
Family: Husband DJ; Daughters McKelvie & Ellery
Interests and hobbies:
My daughter's' activities, Books & Movies, Music - playing the piano, Sports - especially tennis & basketball
In a few sentences, explain why you decided to become an educator.
I chose to become an English teacher because I've always loved to read and discuss literature with others, to look for deeper meaning in a piece of writing and figure out how it relates to real life.
Who is a teacher or professor who inspired you and how?
My mother, Janet West, was my high school English teacher & forensics coach at Greensburg High School. It's her fault that I constantly look for subtext in every movie and play I attend and in every book I read. She was extremely creative and engaging as an instructor, and I try every day to be as great a teacher as she was/is.
Who is someone in current events who you admire and why?
No one specific - anyone who does something for the greater good or who helps those in need - we have plenty of examples of that type of person in our own county.
What are the greatest challenges in education today?
1. lack of student and parent accountability - some would rather work against me than with me. 2. too much paperwork - a new government program comes along every 4-5 years claiming to revolutionize education in America. 3. lack of resources - this doesn't really apply to KC Schools - I've got everything I could ever want or need in my classroom, but I know that other districts are struggling.
What advice can you offer for someone who wants to go into education?
People don't go into education because they expect to get rich - they do it because they're called to it. If you can survive the first five years and continue to further your own education and adapt to constant change, it's a great career. It's more about building positive relationships with students than anything else.
What teaching moment is most memorable?
Too many to name - my favorite moments, though, are when a student surprises everyone by succeeding when everyone else expects him or her to fail.
I love those moments when a student finally understands a concept and can apply it to his/her life. I also love that former students still call me and come to visit - our relationships don't always end with their graduation from high school.
Name: Kim McMurry
Position, subject you teach: English 2, English 4, Drama & Forensics, World Geography, World History
School: Kiowa County High School
Hometown: Greensburg
Education: Associate's Degree in Science from Garden City Community College; BA in Secondary English Education from Southwestern College in Winfield; Master's in English from Fort Hays State University
Family: Husband DJ; Daughters McKelvie & Ellery
Interests and hobbies:
My daughter's' activities, Books & Movies, Music - playing the piano, Sports - especially tennis & basketball
In a few sentences, explain why you decided to become an educator.
I chose to become an English teacher because I've always loved to read and discuss literature with others, to look for deeper meaning in a piece of writing and figure out how it relates to real life.
Who is a teacher or professor who inspired you and how?
My mother, Janet West, was my high school English teacher & forensics coach at Greensburg High School. It's her fault that I constantly look for subtext in every movie and play I attend and in every book I read. She was extremely creative and engaging as an instructor, and I try every day to be as great a teacher as she was/is.
Who is someone in current events who you admire and why?
No one specific - anyone who does something for the greater good or who helps those in need - we have plenty of examples of that type of person in our own county.
What are the greatest challenges in education today?
1. lack of student and parent accountability - some would rather work against me than with me. 2. too much paperwork - a new government program comes along every 4-5 years claiming to revolutionize education in America. 3. lack of resources - this doesn't really apply to KC Schools - I've got everything I could ever want or need in my classroom, but I know that other districts are struggling.
What advice can you offer for someone who wants to go into education?
People don't go into education because they expect to get rich - they do it because they're called to it. If you can survive the first five years and continue to further your own education and adapt to constant change, it's a great career. It's more about building positive relationships with students than anything else.
What teaching moment is most memorable?
Too many to name - my favorite moments, though, are when a student surprises everyone by succeeding when everyone else expects him or her to fail.
I love those moments when a student finally understands a concept and can apply it to his/her life. I also love that former students still call me and come to visit - our relationships don't always end with their graduation from high school.
