Kenyetta Hopkins, 3rd Grade Teacher
Where did you grow-up?
Kenyetta: I was born in Inverness, Florida. I loved growing up in the south, which was very country. I enjoyed visiting my grandmother and my grandfather on all of their property in Citrus County. I grew up with 22 cousins; we would ride on the back of my grandfathers’ truck and feed the cows, tend to our horse (Astro) and sometimes have to get eggs from the chicken coop.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Kenyetta: I felt that I could easily communicate with children, especially in my community. The ability to see a child progress and develop right before your eyes is priceless.
Growing-up, what were your thoughts on education?
Kenyetta: Honestly, I kind of just winged my school years. I was always an average student, especially in elementary and middle school. As high school approached, I became very lackadaisical about my education, but I think that was just due to me becoming a teenager.
How do you feel about education now?
Kenyetta: At this stage in my life I am an avid supporter of education. I think it is a tool that no one can take from you once you have immersed yourself in learning and increasing your knowledge. I have a great appreciation for education and I encourage everyone to reach for the stars.
What are your favorite and most challenging parts of teaching children?
Kenyetta: My favorite part of teaching is meeting the students in September and watching them grow in knowledge from September to June. The most challenging part of teaching is seeing students struggle because they do not have adequate support at home.
Who was your biggest inspiration as a child?
Kenyetta: My biggest inspiration was my grandmother and my mother. First and foremost, my grandmother was my biggest inspiration because she was able to rear nine children while my grandfather worked. My grandmother was a very small yet strong woman and she stood by what she believed in. She was an avid member of the NAACP, she was very involved in the church and she valued family above all. My mother was also a very strong woman, who maintained two jobs trying to provide for me, her only child at the time. My mom would make sure she instilled in me the value of education and that I needed to take it seriously. Having both of these very strong, important women in my life definitely set the foundation for me to evolve into the person that I am today.
What is your fondest memory of your mother?
Kenyetta: The fondest memory that I have of my mother is her working hard as a single mother to be a provider for me. My mom worked two jobs, both jobs she was a bookkeeper. She also would go to school at night to take additional secretarial classes.
What is your proudest achievement as a woman?
My 15 year old daughter is my proudest achievement. My daughter is my greatest achievement for many reasons. My daughter was born prematurely. To be exact she was born at 20 weeks and weighed 1lb and 14 ozs. Â My due date was in December, but I gave birth in September. Needless, to say she stayed in the hospital for four months. Her weight fluctuated frequently. Her smallest weight was 1lb and 7ozs. She battled breathing difficulties and developing challenges. I watched her grow inside of an incubator until she was able to sustain on her own. Eventually, she began to improve and grow strong, she was able to come home two days before Christmas in 1997.
What impression would you like to leave with your daughter and young girls today?
Kenyetta: For them to know what they are worth. To know that they have the ability to be independent, self-sufficient young ladies who can take care of themselves without depending on anyone.
Would you like to be a young girl in today’s world?
Kenyetta: Despite the fact of wanting to be younger in years (laughs), I would not want to be a young girl today. Young girls today have so much to endure. The world of technology has at some point eradicated the innocence of youth. I am pleased to have grown up in the ‘70s.
If you could live your life again what would you do the same or differently?
Kenyetta: I would not change a thing in my life. All of my mistakes, trial and tribulations have molded me into the person that I am today.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Kenyetta: Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and appreciate all of the women that came before us and the ones that are currently seen as role models and are doing monumental things to make life better for themselves and others.
Have you had any dreams that you have or haven’t fulfilled?
Kenyetta: The only dream that I have not fulfilled as of yet is to operate my own Education Learning Center. My dream is to work with children of various ages and provide them different services. I attended college for many years; I have earned three different degrees I would like to put to use. I would love to serve the children of my community especially when it pertains to the development and furthering of their education. I feel that my life purpose is to help and to be a source of inspiration to those who have hopes, dreams and aspirations just as I did.
Is there anything you’d like to add to this interview?
Kenyetta: Yes, I would just like to say to everyone that life is what you make it. Go out, live life, educate yourselves and have fun doing it!