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McKayla Pepper - Teacher Spotlight

A little about McKayla: I am originally from Colby and graduated from a small school in Rexford, where my graduating class consisted of just 26 students! I continued my education at Colby Community College, where I earned a degree in animal science. In 2014, I met my husband, and in 2016 we made the decision to return to Lakin where he was born and raised. I love our little town!  

Years in Education: Two years in education, both in Lakin. 

What I like about teaching: What I love most about teaching is being part of my students' growth, both academically and personally. It’s incredible to see them get excited about what’s coming next in our class novel and to watch the joy on their faces when they realize they guessed a story outcome correctly. I cherish building relationships with each student and providing them with a comfortable, welcoming space to learn.

Favorite Teaching Memory: Some of my favorite memories are those moments when we're exploring a topic or a novel, and at first, my students seem uncertain or a little lost. Then suddenly, they have that 'aha' moment where everything clicks, and their excitement is palpable. I love witnessing that growth in real time—it’s incredibly rewarding to see them light up with understanding. 

Words of Wisdom: No one is perfect, that’s why pencils have erasers. Believe in yourself and your abilities because you are capable of more than you know! I believe in you!