By: Luna A. ‘31
Imagine growing up wanting to be a professional roller skater. That is a dream that Señora McKinney grew up wanting to fulfill. Even though she sadly did not get to that, she ended up in an even better position.
Sra. McKinney is the seventh-grade Spanish teacher. She came from a family of teachers and discovered her passion for teaching at the age of 21. She is from Barranquilla, Colombia, a gorgeous city in the country's northern region. She moved to Tampa this past summer, looking for a place that was close to her family and mirrored the tropical climate of Colombia. She has been teaching for over 20 years and has worked with students at all levels. She specifically loves working with middle schoolers because of their energy, which is very surprising considering the loud environment of a middle school classroom. As a student, she loved physical education, Spanish, and history. She studied computer science and started to teach technology right after college. This sparked her interest in teaching, and she decided to go back to school to study education.
Outside of school, Señora McKinney loves to go on hikes and be outdoors. She specifically loves the beach because it helps her clear her mind. She also likes butterflies, because to her they represent transformation and growth, which is something that she notices in her students. Based on one of her students, Señora McKinney is a fun and helpful teacher that focuses on the growth of each student. She engages with everyone in class and gives helpful, individual feedback when necessary. Something that Señora McKinney looks for in a student is a desire to learn and positive energy.
Señora McKinney is a fun and caring teacher. I can tell that she is an amazing teacher without even being in her class! I really hope she gets a pair of amazing roller skates for her birthday.