Kennedy Ring is one of the newest English teachers at Pattonville High School this year. This is her third year teaching English. She taught at Roosevelt High School for two years before this.

What made you want to start teaching?

“I’ve been wanting to teach ever since I was in first grade, and I would go home and we had a whiteboard in the dining room, and I would make my parents sit down and I would play teacher with them. I also always enjoyed helping my friends learn stuff that they were confused about and just seeing those ‘aha’ moments on people’s faces when they finally understood something. I also love to read, 
and whenever I see someone else find their passion in reading, I get really excited.”

What do you want your students to remember the time spent in your classroom?

“I want them to remember the books we read, the topics we discussed, and to building on those ideas beyond ELA and beyond high school and I really hope that they know that they matter and that they need to advocate for themselves. And that they can do anything that they set their minds to.”

What life lessons do you hope your students get from your class?

“Kelly Gallagher says that he wants his students to be lifelong readers and learners, and I think that is the most important lesson that we could all take: never stop learning, never stop reading, always stay curious, always stay informed. I think you can find so much joy and learn so much about yourself through reading and learning.”