Kendell Rochford, Central Middle School

Position: 6th Grade Math Teacher

Years Teaching: 5 years

Hobbies/Interests: Riding horses, spending time with family, and being active outdoors

What do you enjoy most about teaching? My favorite part about teaching is the life long relationships I get to build with students. I love their enthusiasm for life and learning. I love the moments when we can just laugh together and finding the humor in our day to day chaos that is middle school.

What do you find the most challenging about teaching? The hardest part of teaching is sending my kids to the next grade. After spending the entire year together building relationships, it's so hard to see them go!

Best tip for new teachers: BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS! Enjoy every moment of getting to know your kids on a personal level. Find moments to laugh and be present with your kids outside of just teaching the content!

Best tip for career teachers: Remember your "why" and reflect on it on the hardest days.

Favorite piece of advice for students: Always advocate for yourself, you deserve and have the right to an education so make sure to take advantage of it! Success starts with giving your absolute best, so every day no matter what you are doing give all you can!

What being a Gold Star Teacher means to you: There are so many teachers in Waterloo deserving of this award, and I feel so honored to have received it. I am so grateful for the countless hours others in my district have poured into me. I have had the absolute best mentors here in Waterloo, and I am forever grateful to all of them. Personally receiving this award, energizes me to continue to do what is best for students. It reminds me that building positive relationships with students leads to great results!