Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Kara Binkley

Family: I have a hubby and three kiddos: McKinley, McKenzie and Madden.

School: Denair Charter Academy

Experience and education: One year of teaching fifth grade, three years teaching kindergarten and I am starting my sixth year of Independent Studies with high school students! I also love that I have the opportunity to coach students in my cross training class and lead counseling sessions for students on campus.

What most inspires you about teaching? Teaching can be exhausting, yet the most rewarding career! I am truly inspired every week by my students and their drive to succeed! DCA has given me the opportunity to see my students not only as a “student,” but also as a young person opening up and sharing their life experiences both good and bad. Their transparency gives me the push to better myself and for that I am thankful.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? Helping students to believe in themselves and their potential for college is one of my biggest challenges.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? My favorite weekly activity is “Bink’s Vocab!” My students are required to read each night and choose one word that they didn’t know the definition of. The word must be quoted from the book and defined. Each student writes it on my whiteboard for all to see. I find myself learning new words weekly!

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? DCA is unique in the fact that we meet one on one with our students. As teachers, we are finding creative ways to teach the common core standards. Last year, I had my junior and senior students use digital media to give an oral presentation on any U.S. president. It was such an incredible feeling to see them stand with pride and most definitely built up their confidence. Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Kara Binkley” »