ken klieman

What first motivated me to be a teacher and what continues to motivate me to be a teacher is The Path of a Hero. Joseph Campbell famously outlined that all of the worlds’ myths follow the same course. Once a hero leaves a safe world, they always face initial set backs all based on their own self-doubt. In order to overcome self-doubt, heroes rely on mentors and helpers. Every hero’s goal is to be in control of his and her own destiny, through honesty and hard work. But in order for any hero to achieve, the hero – our students – need to defeat their own self-doubt. This is what motivates me to be a teacher. When we instill the courage and interdependence in our students to personify the people they aspire to be, we fulfill our mission as practitioners of instilling hope. Being a true mentor along the path to becoming a hero requires constant commitment and investment in relationship building.

Activities and Societies: CTA - Teacher Leadership Cohort NEA - State Network of Educator evaluating Smarter Balanced Connect Community Charter School - Professional Development

I was the part of the first student teachers ever to work at Kennedy High School, in Richmond."]

I was a recognized scholar for work published work on qualitative field methods."]