KHES 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year Kim Whitehurst
- Known for High Energy, Enthusiasm, Focus
Although one of her favorite things to do as a child was to play school - teaching teddy bears and dolls and later, “captive” younger siblings - when the education classes were full at East Carolina University, Kitty Hawk Elementary School 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year Kim Whitehurst chose another strong interest, business and finance, in which to pursue her undergrad degree. Her own life path had been set to teach, however, and she would return to it.
The dynamic Whitehurst was a natural in relating to people in the personal banking realm at her bank, but as she progressed through the corporate ladder into investment banking, the relational side of the job waned. She began to rethink teaching. “After much soul-searching,” she says, “I decided to enroll in the School of Education at ECU. Once my classes began and I was elbow deep in lesson plans, I knew this was the profession for me!”
She emerged with an MA in teaching with a concentration in elementary education in 2005. Her teaching philosophy took shape with a class assignment to write down five favorite teachers and record their qualities. “As the class shared their responses, the same answers were repeated: the teacher cared about them, showed enthusiasm, listened, and so on. That day I made a commitment to myself and future students to strive to have those qualities in my own classroom.”
Whitehurst extends those qualities beyond the classroom. She is a familiar face at student activities outside of school - on the field and in the gym - cheering them on. She has sponsored KHES first annual American Red Cross blood drives this and last year, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the 2011 Empty Bowls fundraiser coordinated by colleague, art teacher Ticia Valentine. A supporter of the various KHES PTA events, Whitehurst is a “ringer” at the annual faculty basketball game.
Whitehurst reflects that teachers should always be cognizant of the impact - intended or not - they have on their students. “Teachers are givers,” she says, “givers of their time, givers of our life events, and givers of knowledge so that our students can make better lives for themselves. The influence we have on our students is tremendous and remarkable. Everyday actions, even a single gesture, can potentially make a lasting impact on our children. Educating students goes beyond the subjects we teach. We teach students to be assertive, knowledgeable people who will impact our society in positive ways.”
“Not every student will ace the SAT, or get a full ride to an Ivy League school, but each of them has the potential to be a better person and student by the lessons we give. Every teacher should have the goal of doing their best to help each child find their special path in life.”