DEED Spotlight on Lindsey Glenn at Kodiak High School in Kodiak Island Borough School District

DEED Spotlight on Lindsey Glenn at Kodiak High School in Kodiak Island Borough School District

Ms. Lindsey Glenn should be nicknamed Miss Excitement! The energy and enthusiasm is evident when you work with Ms. Glenn, the Spanish and Leadership teacher at Kodiak High School in Kodiak Island Borough School District (KIBSD). Ms. Glenn is an educator who has loved school since her first days as a student. The excitement for relationship building begins to grow even before the first day of school, and the eagerness to learn continues throughout the year. “Every year the day before school starts, I can’t sleep because I am excited about seeing students.”

KIBSD was fortunate enough to begin school in the green this year, and was able to remain in person for about 10 weeks. Ms. Glenn stated “I really enjoyed seeing students and establishing relationships with them.” She shared that students seemed even more eager to learn this year, which this dedicated educator believed was due to a sense of gratitude for being allowed to physically attend school.

Ms. Glenn has used technology to engage students even prior to the pandemic. Students in Ms. Glenn’s courses have opportunities to develop story boards, shoot movie clips, communicate on discussion boards, design and create art, record public service announcements (PSAs) or podcasts, and engage in research. Ms. Glenn has utilized Twitter to better reach students using social media, but has noticed a trend this year worth mentioning, “It is interesting, we consider our students technology natives, but now I am seeing a preference to paper and hands on activities!”

No matter in what context or environment, Ms. Glenn loves working with students. “When you are in flow and kids are getting it and having fun, contributing to class discussions and stories, it is really energizing!” This year in particular, Ms. Glenn is proud of the students in her courses because of how resilient, hardworking, persistent and positive they are. Ms. Glenn admires her students for not giving up, even when technology glitches or fails.

Though communication has changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Ms. Glenn and the secondary educators on the team are working to reach out as often as they can electronically. Ms. Glenn stated, “Kodiak is a fantastic place to teach, and we have an amazing community here. It is nice to hear positive and encouraging things back from parents and to be able to listen and empathize with their struggles.”

As educators all across Alaska are learning how to teach in different ways this year, Ms. Glenn advises colleagues to give themselves a break, especially for those things outside of one’s control. “Get into a healthy routine and continue to work hard for your students and your passion, but give yourself some grace along the way.”

Thank you, Ms. Glenn for leaning into this year with enthusiasm, and for remaining an excited, dedicated, and passionate educator for your learning community and beyond.