Teacher Appreciation Week: Kendra Poff
Featuring Kendra Poff, MHS Third-Grade Teacher
In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Milton Hershey School interviewed several teachers, across all three scholastic division, to recognize their important role within the MHS community.
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What’s one thing you wish people understood about your job?
I wish people understood that what we do at Milton Hershey School as teachers is not a job, but a calling. Our day doesn’t end at 3:15 p.m. We can often be found behind the scenes at sporting events, student home dinner tables, and even out in the community with students on day visits.
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What are the biggest challenges and most rewarding parts of your job?
One of the biggest challenges is that many of our students come with significant learning gaps and I have just one school year with them to close that gap. The most rewarding part, though, is seeing how much progress the students are able to make in that short time due to all the resources and support Milton Hershey School offers.
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What made you want to become a teacher?
I wanted to become a teacher because I had the most amazing Kindergarten teacher! I could tell she loved what she did, but most importantly, she loved us. My home life growing up wasn’t so good and she knew that. She would often pull me aside when she knew I was having a rough day and talk me through what was going on. She invited all of us and our families to different activities at her home once a month. She always treated us like one of her own. When I got older I knew I wanted to be just like that for another child.
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What grade do you teach? And how many years have you been teaching?
I teach third grade. I have been teaching for 9 years.
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Milton Hershey School is carefully following federal and state guidelines, CDC considerations, and MHS-established health and safety protocols to keep our campus a safe, nurturing, and healthy place. Any group photos of unmasked subjects were taken prior to the face coverings mandate.