Dr. Kyra Templeton
“Reflecting on my journey, I know that becoming an educator isn’t just a job - it’s a calling. It’s about making a difference in the lives of students, inspiring a love of learning, and empowering them to reach their full potential. And, though the path may be challenging at times and the gratification is delayed, the rewards far outweigh the struggles.”
Q: Name | Location | Years in Education
Dr. Kyra M. Caldwell Templeton | Atlanta, GA | 15+
Q: Tell us the story of your journey to becoming an educator. What are the significant waypoints along that path?
Imagine starting as a curious student, fascinated by the process of learning and the impact teachers have on shaping minds. Ever since my youth, I wanted to become a teacher. I recall times when I forced my twin brother to “play school.” I would have full lesson plans to include reading, writing, math, and of course music and art! This fascination blossomed into a passion for education and a desire to become a lifelong learner and support others to do the same.
Although my route to the classroom wasn’t linear, I landed exactly where I needed to be, supporting students and school communities. I started my path working with families as a social worker for the Department of Family and Children Services. Even though my immediate degree in English from Spelman College didn't quite align with my job choice, it was a path forward as I transitioned from working retail during my college years.
After supporting children and families, the calling to education did not disappear. I decided to attain my certification using a non-traditional route. Once I secured my non-renewable provisional certification, I enrolled in a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) from Georgia State University. In that program, I learned to clearly define my teaching philosophy (Education is a participatory experience).
After completing my degree requirements and obtaining the necessary certifications, my early years were filled with excitement, yet imbalance. As I learned how to juggle how to be an effective teacher while managing classroom behaviors and developing strong relationships with students, I experimented with several methodologies, constantly adjusting my approach based on student feedback, and continually seeking professional development opportunities to hone my craft.
Once my confidence set in, I had the rare opportunity to become a founding member of KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School, the first of its kind in Georgia. While that experience was rewarding, it came with many challenges that helped me further refine what it meant to be a teacher in an urban setting.
Along the way, I encountered obstacles—challenging students, demanding parents, administrative hurdles—but I was able to persevere, drawing strength from my passion for education and the positive impact I saw in your students' lives. Many of the skills I acquired while there have proven to be invaluable as I transitioned into various roles in the realm of education, including Director of Operations, ELA Instructional Coach, and currently, Program Director of Student Engagement.
Throughout my journey, I never stopped learning. I have attended and led several workshops, pursued advanced degrees, and participated collaboratively with colleagues to ensure that I am exposed to the latest research and best practices in education. Reflecting on my journey, I know that becoming an educator isn't just a job—it's a calling. It's about making a difference in the lives of students, inspiring a love of learning, and empowering them to reach their full potential. And though the path may be challenging at times and the gratification is delayed, the rewards far outweigh the struggles.
Q: Who inspired you (friend, family, coach, mentor, guide, sponsor, advisor) to become an educator, and/or get involved in education?
This question is hard to answer in a direct way because teaching has always been innate. As previously mentioned, becoming an educator was the only profession I imagined. Throughout my educational journey, as a student and professional, I have encountered many individuals who inspired me. Firstly, my parents. I recall having a home library filled with an array of books, education was always at the forefront. As I matriculated through school, I have fond memories of my high school English teacher and AP Psychology teacher. While at Spelman College, all of my professors were impactful, but I specifically remember my English professors who taught Toni Morrison seminar and African Diaspora of the World. All of my experiences led me to become a lifelong learner.
Q: When (and where) do you feel you are most likely to succeed as you practice your educational art, and your educational craft?
“I am most likely to succeed when my work reflects my beliefs about providing equitable and authentic educational experiences for all students! However that looks, in or outside the traditional school building, works for me. ”
Q: What are the skills you feel most confident using in your life, and work in education?
The skills that I feel most confident utilizing in my personal and professional life are linked to my top 5 Strengths from Clifton’s StrengthsFinder: Discipline, Achiever, Relator, Connectedness, and Learner.
Discipline - I enjoy structure and routine, this helps me prioritize and organize my efforts and energy.
Achiever - I am a hard worker and take satisfaction in being busy and productive.
Relator - I particularly enjoy close relationships with people and find satisfaction in leveraging those relationships to achieve a goal.
Connectedness - I strongly believe that all things are linked, constantly in search of the “degrees of separation,” or better stated; the “degrees of connection.”
Learner - I have a great desire to gain knowledge and continuously improve. The epitome of a lifelong learner.
Q: What are the most significant challenges you are working to overcome as you define what school could be?
One significant challenge is engaging adult stakeholders in meaningful dialogue and inciting them to co-design solutions with students in order to build collective ownership to drive sustainable change and innovation in education. Many times, adult egos and biases become obstacles to achieving and progressing forward with students first in mind.
Q: Describe some of the most rewarding moments in your time in education; those crazy days when you knew you were having an impact...and it felt really good.
Being an educator is truly challenging, especially in times such as these. I always understood and accepted that there is delayed gratification in this work. So I would say that the most rewarding moments as an educator are when I witness “light-bulb” moments when students are engaging in rigorous learning activities. Or, when I encounter former students who decide to attend a specific learning institution based on where I attended or choose to return to teach at the school where they were educated. Those are the authentic moments where I feel like an impact has been made and is lasting.
Q: What do you most want to learn from this global online community of your fellow educator-leaders?
“It’s all about relationships (The lead title of my dissertation). My goal is always to see how I can connect to others and how connections can lead to opportunities. I seek to learn ways other professional educators leverage student voice and implement it in decision-making cycles within their schools or districts.”
Q: What is something quirky that you love about yourself and would help other community members to get to know you?
It’s all about relationships (The lead title of my dissertation). My goal is always to see how I can connect to others and how connections can lead to opportunities. I seek to learn ways other professional educators leverage student voice and implement it in decision-making cycles within their schools or districts.
Q: Ben Franklin supposedly said, "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." You might think Ben was full of baloney, but we are wondering when YOU are most awake, alive, productive, creative, and/or reflective. Early morning, late at night, some other time?
I am definitely an afternoon person. I like to go to bed early, if possible with a 3-year-old son; and I like to awake naturally without responding to an alarm.
Q: Cold night, snow out, warm fire, hot beverage, or hot day, white sand beach, shorts and slippers, cold beverage?
I enjoy a cool, crisp fall day; with a bright sun; a light jacket, and a warm cup of green tea or apple cider.
Q: The coolest thing that happened to me today (the day I am filling out this form) was…
The coolest thing that happened to me today was the chance to chat with Mel and Josh and to further engage with the digital WSCB community.
Q: And finally, what do you think is the purpose of education? (Clearly not a small question, but we hope you enjoy responding!)
The purpose of education is to explore the unknown and to connect that knowledge to experiences in order to develop and understand diverse perspectives.